Which of the following statements are correct regarding the demands of the protest movement known as Luddism (1811 - 17)? I. A minimum wage for workers. II. The right to form trade unions so that they could legally present their demands. III. The use of machinery for efficient labour-saving production. Select the answer using the code given below :
- A.I and II only
- B.II and III only
- C.I and III only
- D.I, II and III
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is A, I and II only. The Luddites demanded a minimum wage and the right to form trade unions, while they opposed machinery that took away their work.
Luddism was a movement of English textile workers between 1811 and 1817, named after a probably imaginary leader called General Ned Ludd. Weavers and knitters broke the new machines, such as power looms and stocking frames, that were throwing skilled workers out of jobs and lowering wages. Their demands included a minimum wage, control over the labour of women and children, work for those who had lost their jobs to machines, and the right to form trade unions so that they could legally present their demands. The government answered with harsh laws that made machine-breaking a capital crime.
B is wrong because it includes statement III; the Luddites opposed labour-saving machinery. C is wrong for the same reason and also leaves out the right to form unions. D is wrong because statement III is false.
Exam tip: Luddites broke machines, so any statement praising labour-saving machinery is false.
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