Social Struggles in 1840s Britain Quiz

Answer: The silk weavers of Lyons, 1832

The silk weavers of Lyon revolted several times in the 1830s but most memorably in 1832, when 30,000 people had left work to demonstrate and demand higher wages. Paris had also witnessed numerous crises since the 1789 revolution. The word "needlewomen" was often used in the 19th century as a euphemism for prostitutes.

Answer: Manchester

A major clash between workers and soldiers (national guard and cavalry) took place in 1819 at St Peter's Field, Manchester. Several hundred people were injured and ten persons died. "Peterloo", as it came to be known, became a symbol of working class agitation for Parliamentary reform and of the government's efforts to suppress it. Manchester was prone to riots, and the 1840s were no exception.

Answer: "Mary Barton"

"Mary Barton: A Tale of Manchester Life" was Gaskell's first novel and brought her instant fame. The workers' rebellion is described so poignantly that some blamed her for not taking the factory owners' viewpoint in consideration. She achieved a greater balance in her other major social novel "North and South" (1855). "Wives and Daughters" (1866) does not deal with social struggle, and Gaskell never wrote a novel called "Times of Struggle".

Answer: "Hard Times"

"Hard Times" (1854) is renowned for dealing with the themes of industrialization, education, and Utilitarianism in the fast moving Industrial Revolution. Parody is used mercilessly against the factory owners whose belief in rationalism and Utilitarianism (of the very crudest kind) is absolute. (The character of Thomas Gradgrind is a typical example).

Answer: Thomas Carlyle

At the beginning of "A Tale of Two Cities", Dickens acknowledges his debt to Carlyle's "The French Revolution: A History", a major text of reference for the Victorians. This was not the only work of Carlyle's that stimulated and inspired Dickens - "Hard Times", for instance, is soaked in Carlyle's ideology, as expressed in writings such as "Signs of the Times", "Chartism", or "Past and Present".

Answer: Thomas Carlyle

Thomas Carlyle wrote this in "Past and Present" (1843), a book remarkable for its clear-sightedness and uncompromising stand against the injustice of working conditions. Workers are described as being in a situation worse than that of horses - the latter are at least sure of their food and of a roof over their heads.

Answer: Chartism

The Chartist movement, which wanted to extend the right to vote and promote better living and working conditions for the people, was seen as a major threat to the established order. It reached its peak in 1848.

Answer: 1848

In spring 1848, several revolutions took place simultaneously in several countries of continental Europe. In France, especially, the movement was strong and led to the dismissal of king Louis-Philippe. The poet Lamartine famously proclaimed the new Republic from the balcony of the Paris "Hotel de Ville" (Town Hall).

There were also revolutions in Italy, the German-speaking lands and, more generally throughout the Austrian Empire, as well as parts of the Danubian Principalities. Although some English people initially showed enthusiasm, they were quick to condemn this new Revolution, not least because they feared something similar might happen in Britain.

Answer: Corn Laws

The Corn Laws (passed in 1815) were meant mainly to protect the income of land owners, by taxing imported grain heavily. It meant that the rich aristocrats with landed property could dictate the market prices, making it difficult for the poorer classes to buy bread and staple foods.

Answer: Robert Peel

Robert Peel's decision to repeal the Corn Laws was widely celebrated, and remains to this day one of his claims to fame. However, he faced fierce opposition and his government was defeated only a few days after securing the repeal the Corn Laws. Peel, who was leader of the Tories, split his own party - and it remained weak till the mid 1860s.

When the Tories revived, they did so as free traders.