The labour movement

Vocabulary

Wealth; Trade unions; unemployment; strike.

To achieve; to develop.

Even; self-sufficient.

THE LABOUR MOVEMENT

Socially, the political revolutions and the Industrial Revolution had two main consequences:

-          the creation of a new class society, in which social differences were based on job, power and wealth.

-          the organization of workers and the appearance of new ideologies, opposed to the capitalism.

The first actions took place in the UK in the early 19th century. Workers were losing their jobs, and they protested violently against their employers destroying machines, which they saw responsible for their low salaries and unemployment. This was called Luddism.

Then they created Trade Unions, associations of workers formed to protect their rights and interests. They wanted to achieve political rights (strike, vote, etc.) and to improve their working conditions (hours of work, salary, etc.). In the beginning, Trade Unions were illegal. The British Parliament legalized Trade Unions in 1825.

New ideologies were also developed with the intention of ending capitalism:

oSocialism. It was developed by Marx and Engels. Its main objective was to eliminate private property, because they thought it was the cause of the social division between the bourgeoisie and the working class. To make this possible, the working class should make a revolution (led by socialist parties) and take power, establishing the collective property and a society with no classes.

oAnarchism. It was developed by Bakunin. Its main objective was that people could be completely free, eliminating private property, religion and even states. To make this possible, all the oppressed social groups (not only workers) should make a spontaneous revolution which would change State for small self-sufficient communities.

1.       Work in pairs

Discuss with your partner the differences and similarities between socialism and anarchism. Create a chart showing the results.

2.       True/False – rewrite the false sentences

a)  One of the social consequences of the Industrial revolution was the rise of new ideologies against capitalism.

b) The first actions happened in the beginning of the 19^th century in the UK.

c)  Luddism was a violent movement to destroy machines because they were very dangerous for the workers’ health.

d) Trade Unions were created to protect the owners against the workers’ interests and rights.

e) Trade Unions just wanted to improve the working conditions.

f)   Trade Unions were illegal from 1825.