La révolte des canuts

Summary

This video explores the 1831 silk workers' revolt in Lyon, led by the Canuts, artisans who wove silk in their homes. The workers, facing poor working conditions and fluctuating wages, demanded fair pay and the right to set minimum prices. The revolt grew into a significant confrontation between the workers and authorities, with barricades, violent clashes, and a temporary capture of the city. Despite initial victories, the workers' demands were crushed, and the revolt marked a key moment in early labor movements during the industrial revolution.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Canuts were silk workers in Lyon, primarily located in the Croix-Rousse district, and played a pivotal role in the silk weaving industry during the early 19th century.
• 😀 The Canuts were skilled artisans who worked from home, using hand looms and receiving raw materials from silk merchants, in a pre-industrial production model.
• 😀 In 1831, the Canuts formed an association to demand a minimum wage for their work, despite the law (La Loi Le Chapelier) prohibiting worker associations for collective bargaining.
• 😀 The Canuts' revolt in 1831 was the first significant worker uprising in Lyon and was inspired by earlier worker protests, such as the Peterloo Massacre in Manchester in 1819.
• 😀 The revolt's main demand was the freedom to work with fair compensation, expressed in the slogan 'live free by working or die fighting.'
• 😀 Working conditions for the Canuts were harsh: long hours (up to 18 hours a day), uncertain work availability, and low wages that were influenced by market fluctuations.
• 😀 By 1831, approximately 8,000 master weavers and 30,000 apprentices worked in Lyon's silk industry, which was essential for the city's economy.
• 😀 The Canuts were not only weavers but also employed other specialists, including women and children, in various roles such as silk spinners, finishers, and carders.
• 😀 Tensions between workers and silk merchants were exacerbated by the fluctuating prices paid for silk weaving, and workers' dissatisfaction grew in the 1820s and 1830s.
• 😀 The Canuts' revolt in 1831 resulted in a bloody confrontation with the military and national guards, leading to the deaths of hundreds of workers and soldiers before the uprising was quelled.
• 😀 Despite initial victories and control of the city, the Canuts' movement lacked a concrete political program, and their demands were not fully realized, with the minimum wage agreement being swiftly revoked by the government.

Q & A

What was the Canut Revolt of 1831 about?

The Canut Revolt of 1831 was an uprising of silk workers (Canuts) in Lyon, France. They were protesting for better working conditions, a minimum wage, and to end the exploitative practices of silk merchants who set fluctuating wages based on market demands.

Who were the Canuts, and what type of work did they do?

The Canuts were skilled silk weavers and artisans who worked at home using hand looms to create silk fabrics. They received orders from silk merchants, but their income was dependent on piecework, meaning they were paid per completed item rather than by the hour.

What was the main economic issue faced by the Canuts?

The Canuts faced economic instability as their wages were determined by the fluctuating market conditions set by merchants, leading to inconsistent and often low pay. They also had high costs for maintaining their looms and meeting delivery deadlines.

What sparked the Canut Revolt in November 1831?

The revolt was sparked by the Canuts' demand for a minimum wage and the implementation of a standardized tariff for their work. They sought fair compensation for their labor, as they struggled with the fluctuating prices set by the silk merchants.

How did the Canut Revolt begin on November 21, 1831?

The revolt began when several hundred Canuts marched through the Croix-Rousse district, demanding the closure of workshops that were still operational. They were met by the National Guard, resulting in a violent confrontation where three workers were killed.

What role did women play in the Canut Revolt?

Women were actively involved in the Canut Revolt. They worked alongside men in silk weaving and other related trades, and many participated in the protests, demonstrating solidarity for better wages and working conditions.

What was the outcome of the Canut Revolt in the short term?

In the short term, the revolt was suppressed. The government sent military forces to recapture the city, and on December 7, the minimum wage tariff agreement was annulled. Many workers were arrested, but most of them were later acquitted.

What were the political implications of the Canut Revolt?

The revolt had significant political implications. It was seen as a challenge to the existing economic and social order, especially in a time of industrialization. The workers' calls for freedom and democracy threatened both the bourgeoisie and the existing government, causing concern in political circles.

How did the French government react to the Canut Revolt?

The French government, under King Louis-Philippe, quickly moved to suppress the revolt. The Duke of Orléans led a military force to restore order in Lyon, and after the revolt was quelled, the government dismantled the workers' gains, including the minimum wage agreement.

What historical context influenced the Canut Revolt?

The Canut Revolt occurred during a period of industrialization and economic liberalization. The market-driven economy, coupled with the harsh working conditions in factories and the rise of capitalism, created widespread social unrest, leading to revolts like the one in Lyon.