Luddites

The Luddites were English textle craftsmen, during the 19th century, who protested the new advances in textile machinery.These new spinning Jenny's, poor looms and other machinery a threaten there jobs and pay. The new machines left many without work, therefor deep anger urupted in the craftsmen community. The Luddites believed that the new machinery were unfairly taking jobs away from workers who had apprenticeships and skill. Many consider the Luddites to be a violent group however the most violence they ever caused was towards machinery. Were as England put many Luddites to death. Ned Ludd was believed to be the leader of this group, however no one can actually confirm his existence. The letter that follows is a mock primary source.






Dear Jenn,
How are you? Has word reached your area of the Luddites? As a Skilled Weaver I personally agree with everything the Luddites stand for and consider myself one.The Luddites are a group of anti-machinery protesters, they are against new technological advances. In many ways these new machinarys placed in English mills, have brought great misfortune to my life. It is unfair that a skilled weaver like myself, should have to receive paycuts. I have an apprenticeship, and I can do twice the quality of work then these new employees. In order to state our position, me and my fellow Luddites have gone about destroying machines. We are not a violent organization, yet the Goverment seems to enforce violence among us. In a mill near Manchester, troops killed 3 Luddites and injured 18. I stand for the Luddite cause and I hope you will support me! Workers with little to no experince should not be replacing skilled weavers like myself! Tell you family I say hi! Hopefully we will see eachother soon.