During the industrial revolution there was a rebel group called the Luddites. Most Luddites were skilled artisans and they protested against unfair wages in factories, the deceitful manner in which technology was used, and the lack of appreciation of their skills. The group noticed that since the new machines had been created the appreciation of their skills had decreased because the machines made things more efficient and the efficiency of the machines caused their wages to drop dramatically. The following letter is an example of how an English girl working in the factory might have felt about the Luddites and their practices.
The following is a letter from a skilled weaver who works in
the mills of England and is writing to her cousin, who lives in America.
Dear Sarah,
The past year that I have spent working at the factory has been difficult. There are many corrupt practices in the factory, and recently a group known as the Luddites has decided to protest against some of the unfair practices. The Luddites protest against unfair wages, the deceitful manner in which technology is used, and the lack of appreciation of their skills. Last week I came into the factory to find that many of the frames had been destroyed by the Luddites. I've also heard that the Luddites dress up as women, and preform street theatre to make their protest known. I agree with the Luddites in that the new technology of this industrial revolution is decreasing the appreciation of skilled workers like me. My weaving skills were much more appreciated before industrialization and I'm sure that I would be able to earn more money with my weaving if it had not been for the new machines in factories. If I join the Luddites I can help them to stop the corruption in the factories. Please write to me soon, I hope you agree with my decision to support the luddites.
The past year that I have spent working at the factory has been difficult. There are many corrupt practices in the factory, and recently a group known as the Luddites has decided to protest against some of the unfair practices. The Luddites protest against unfair wages, the deceitful manner in which technology is used, and the lack of appreciation of their skills. Last week I came into the factory to find that many of the frames had been destroyed by the Luddites. I've also heard that the Luddites dress up as women, and preform street theatre to make their protest known. I agree with the Luddites in that the new technology of this industrial revolution is decreasing the appreciation of skilled workers like me. My weaving skills were much more appreciated before industrialization and I'm sure that I would be able to earn more money with my weaving if it had not been for the new machines in factories. If I join the Luddites I can help them to stop the corruption in the factories. Please write to me soon, I hope you agree with my decision to support the luddites.
Your Cousin,
Meghan
Citation: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/what-the-luddites-really-fought-against-264412/?no-ist=
Citation: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/what-the-luddites-really-fought-against-264412/?no-ist=
No comments:
Post a Comment