Who were the Luddites? | The Battle of Rawfolds Mill 1812

Summary

Between 1811 and 1817, the Luddites, named after Ned Ludd, protested against industrialization by attacking mills and destroying machinery in Yorkshire and Lancashire. Despite military protection and organized resistance, including the Battle of Rufus Mill, the government's firm stance led to the execution of 17 Luddites in 1813. Their actions symbolize opposition to automation and reflect early working-class political consciousness.

Takeaways

• 🔧 Between 1811 and 1817, the Luddites, named after Ned Ludd, attacked mills and machinery in Lancashire, Yorkshire, and the Midlands.
• 🏭 The Luddites targeted labor-saving machinery, blaming it for their economic hardships.
• 💸 In 1811, over 1,000 frames were destroyed, valued at more than six thousand pounds, prompting severe government response.
• 🛡️ The government made machine smashing a capital offense, punishable by death, to suppress the Luddite movement.
• 🔒 William Cartwright, a mill owner, fortified his mill with military guards due to the threat posed by the Luddites.
• 🚨 Cartwright's mill was equipped with a bell for raising alarms and was under constant surveillance by soldiers and workers.
• 🔥 The Luddites were armed and well-organized, using firearms, bayonets, bludgeons, hatchets, and swords during their attacks.
• 🛡️ Despite the Luddites' preparations, they were repelled by the military at the Battle of Rufus Mill, with two Luddites killed.
• ⚖️ The government's firm stance led to the execution of 17 Luddites in York in 1813, marking a significant crackdown.
• 🏭 The Luddite movement, though short-lived, has become a symbol of resistance against industrialization and automation.
• 📜 Some historians view Luddism as an early form of working-class political consciousness, with demands for both economic and political change.

Q & A

What were the Luddites known for during the period between 1811 and 1817?

The Luddites were known for attacking and smashing labor-saving machinery in mills, which they blamed for their hardships.

Why were the Luddites named after Ned Ludd?

The Luddites were named after a fictional youth named Ned Ludd, who was reputedly the first to smash new machinery in a fit of rage.

What was the economic impact of the Luddites' actions in 1811?

In 1811, the Luddites destroyed around 1,000 frames valued at over six thousand pounds, leading to significant economic disruption.

What measures did the government take in response to the Luddites' actions?

The government made machine smashing an offence punishable by death and used military force to protect mills and suppress the Luddites.

How did William Cartwright prepare for the Luddites' attack on his mill?

William Cartwright put his mill under military guard, secured the windows and doors, and had soldiers and workmen sleeping at the property in anticipation of an attack.

What was the outcome of the Luddites' attack on Rufus mill?

Despite a great deal of firing and ransacking, the Luddites were unable to gain entrance to the mill and were eventually driven off by the soldiers, with two of them killed.

What type of weapons did the Luddites use during their attacks?

The Luddites were armed with various weapons including bayonets, bludgeons, pistols, hatchets, and swords.

How did the government's response to the Luddite movement culminate?

The government's response culminated in the hanging of 17 Luddites at York in 1813, demonstrating a firm stance against the movement.

What is the legacy of the Luddite movement in terms of public perception?

The Luddite movement's legacy is that their name has lived on to describe those opposed to industrialization and automation.

How do some historians view the Luddite movement beyond just an economic protest?

Some historians view Luddism as an early expression of working-class political consciousness, with demands not only for the removal of machines but also for a form of parliament.