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Luddite

19th-century anti-machinery movement

The Luddites were English textile workers who opposed machinery, protesting against manufacturers for replacing skilled labor and driving down wages. The movement spread from Nottingham to Yorkshire between 1811 and 1816, and was suppressed by legal and military actions.

Related

Industrial Revolution Suffragette Ada Lovelace James Watt Ludwig Wittgenstein Charles Babbage Artificial Intelligence Computer Alan Turing Telephone

Timeline

Spitalfields narrow weavers destroy power machines

In 1675, Spitalfields narrow weavers destroyed 'engines,' power machines that could each do the work of several people.

London hosier's machines broken by angry stockingers

In 1710, a London hosier employing too many apprentices in violation of the Framework Knitters Charter had his machines broken by angry stockingers.

Parliament makes destruction of machines a capital felony

In 1727, parliamentary action was taken to make the destruction of machines a capital felony, but it did little to stop the activity of machine wrecking.

Luddite Rebellion in Manchester

In 1779, English textile workers in Manchester rebelled against the introduction of machinery that endangered their skilled craft. This event marked the beginning of the Luddite riots.

Protection of Stocking Frames Act

The Protection of Stocking Frames Act was passed by the government in 1788 to increase penalties for destroying factory equipment. However, it did not effectively deter Luddite activity.

First Major Luddite Riot in Arnold, Nottingham

On 11th March 1811, the first major Luddite riot occurred in Arnold, Nottingham. This event marked the beginning of a series of riots across the country where weavers destroyed factory equipment.

Luddite Movement in West Riding of Yorkshire

In early 1812, the Luddite movement expanded its operations to the West Riding of Yorkshire, focusing on destroying machinery that posed a threat to local industrial interests.

Luddites gunned down at mill near Huddersfield

In April 1812, some Luddites were shot at a mill near Huddersfield, Yorkshire. The army took offensive actions against the Luddites, leading to their capture and punishment.

Luddites Protest in May 1812

In May 1812, the Luddites protested against the introduction of machinery in the textile industry by destroying machinery and engaging in acts of violence. They believed that the machines would take away their jobs and livelihoods.

Executions of Mellor and other Luddites

In January 1813, George Mellor and other Luddites were executed. Despite this, a few threatening letters were sent to public officials.

Luddite Movement in Lancashire

By March 1813, the Luddite movement had reached Lancashire, targeting specific types of machinery that were deemed harmful to the industrial interests of the region.

Rioting in 1816 Due to Post-Napoleonic Wars Depression

In 1816, rioting occurred as a result of the economic depression following the Napoleonic Wars, leading to further challenges for the Luddite movement.

Pentrich Rising led by Jeremiah Brandreth

In 1817, the Pentrich Rising, led by an unemployed stockinger named Jeremiah Brandreth, marked the last recorded Luddite activity. This event was a notable resistance against the circumstances of the Industrial Revolution.

The Skilled Labourer

The Home Office Papers were examined for their portrayal of Luddism in this important work.

Popular Disturbances and Public Order in Regency England

F. Darvall's work 'Popular Disturbances and Public Order in Regency England' published by Oxford University Press in 1934 sheds light on the social dynamics of that era.

The Machine Breakers

E. J. Hobsbawm's article 'The Machine Breakers' published in Past & Present in 1952 delves into the historical context of machine-breaking incidents.

The Making of the English Working Class

E. P. Thompson's influential study explores the connection between Luddism and other contemporary Radical and labor movements.

The Making of the English Working Class

E. P. Thompson's book 'The Making of the English Working Class' delves into the social history of the working class in England, including aspects related to the Luddite movement.

Malcolm Thomis's significant study was the first comprehensive analysis dedicated solely to the Luddites.

Unabomber attacks

Starting in 1978, Ted Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, carried out a series of mail bomb attacks targeting the 'industrial-technological system' as a form of anti-technology extremism.

Thomas Pynchon's Essay on Luddites

In 1984, novelist Thomas Pynchon questioned the acceptance of being a Luddite, someone who opposes technological advancements, at the beginning of the personal computer era.

The Labouring Classes in Early Industrial England

John Rule's book includes a chapter that reviews the different scholarly perspectives on Luddism.

Before the Luddites

Adrian Randall's book published in 1991 explores the philosophy of Luddism in its early stages and compares the woollen industry in the West of England with the Yorkshire industry where Luddism thrived.

The Luddites: How did they get that bad reputation?

David Linton's article 'The Luddites: How did they get that bad reputation?' from 1992 in Labor History delves into the perception and reputation of the Luddites.

Ted Kaczynski's Unabomber Attacks

In 1994, Ted Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, targeted the 'industrial-technological system' in his attacks, reflecting a modern form of Luddism.

Rebels against the Future

Kirkpatrick Sale's book from 1995 reinterprets Luddism as a broader resistance to technology.

London Stock Exchange cyber attack

In 1996, the London Stock Exchange was targeted by a cyber attack, suspected to be carried out by modern Luddites using computer viruses and malware to disrupt the technology.

The Luddites: Diablo ex Machina

Keith Grint and Steve Woolgar's work 'The Luddites: Diablo ex Machina' from 1997 provides a unique perspective on the Luddite movement.

The Luddite Rebellion

Brian Bailey's book from 1998 provides a comprehensive history of the Luddite movement.

Industrial Protest in England

Chapter 4 of the book 'Social unrest and popular protest in England, 1780–1840' by John E. Archer delves into the topic of industrial protest during that period.

September 11 attacks

In 2001, the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, often associated with Osama bin Laden, utilized aviation technology to carry out the destruction of the skyscrapers.

Against the Machine: The Hidden Luddite History in Literature, Art, and Individual Lives

Nichols Fox's book 'Against the Machine' from 2003 uncovers the concealed history of Luddism in various cultural aspects.

Publication of Luddites

In Spring 2004, books about the Luddites were published and made available for purchase from major booksellers.

Against Technology Book by Loyola's Jones

In 2006, Loyola's Jones wrote a book titled Against Technology, where he discusses the original Luddites and contrasts their era of clear-cut targets with the nebulous nature of modern technology.

Stuxnet cyberworm attack on Iranian nuclear power plant

In 2010, the Iranian nuclear power plant was targeted by the Stuxnet cyberworm, believed to be an act of modern Luddites disrupting technology through malware.

Machine-Breaking and the 'Threat from Below' in Great Britain and France

Jeff Horn's work on 'Machine-Breaking and the 'Threat from Below'' in 2015 explores the socio-political implications of machine-breaking in the early Industrial Revolution.

End of the Timeline
Luddite

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