Responses to the Industrial Revolution

• Luddites (1811-1813): Skilled workers, craftsmen who lost their jobs to machines. Modern technology was the cause as their skill was replaced. Broke into facilities and smashed machines. Against modern technology. Began a movement of people who voiced concerns over the mistreatment of factory workers. First movement of workers rights.
• Supporters of Adam smith and Classical LIberalism argued against any government interreference in the economy to help factory workers. Classical liberals against helping the poor. To them the best economic system was less human involvement. The system will self correct. (Luddites)
• Luddites were the Early expression of working-class political consciousness
• Chartists (Moderates) (1836-1849): Working class movement in Britain that focused on political and social reform. 

  • Universal suffrage for all men over 21  
  • Equal-sized electoral districts 
  • Voting by secret ballot 
  • An end to the need for property qualifications for Parliament 
  • Pay for MPs 
  • Annual elections 
  • Demonstrated the discontent in Britain. 1848 General strike in Britain - Spurred on by petitions of the Chartist movement 
• Socialism is a collectivist ideology. Believed Private ownership of the means of production permits exploitation. "Means of Production" refers to land, labour and capital; resources required to produce goods. Government should take more control. Social programs.
• Socialism:The state should direct the economy to achieve economic equality for all citizens. Society should be classless. Value economic equality among citizens. Providing income security for all through guaranteed employment and guaranteed living standards. Co-operation is favored over competition. High degree of state involvement in the control and direction of the economy. Wanted a fair and just distribution of wealth to all who contributed to it, especially the workers. Disapproved the social injustices of classical liberalism