How Would You Describe The Social And Economic Conditions That Led Some British Workers To Join The Luddites?

The social and economic conditions in Britain were changing at the begining of the nineteenth century. It was a time when the Industrial revolution was moving rapidly towards the use of machinery to replace many of the jobs that people had historically undertaken. Economically prices had often been , traditionally agreed by custom and practice and this was begining to be erroded. Living conditions for the majority of peopel were very poor. The displacement of thousands of people from the countryside, agriculture and home based crafts was taking place and movement to dreadful urban conditions was on the increase. The towns didn't have the facilities to cope with the influx of workers, houses were poorly built and sanitary conditions dreadful.
The government took the line of Laizze Faire which meant leaving things without government legislation and intervention- workers had little support or protection.
The Luddite movement began in 1811 under the leadership of a ficticious character Ned Ludd. They were incensed at falling wages and achines replacing traditonal roles of men and women. Women were very active in the movement.
One of the few people in positions of power who raised concerns and asked for tolerance and understanding of the workers was Lord Byron who stated in 1812 that the unrest was caused by 'unparalled distress'. he was largely ignored and the death sentence was introduced for anyone breaking the Frame Breaking Act passed in 1812.
Wheat prices had soared and people were unable to feed their families, hunger and terrible poverty led to Food Riots.
The government of the day had very little concern for, or interest in the plight of the poor and it was inevitable that social unrest would ensue.

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