Catalogue Number
NMLH.2001.4
Object Name
Leaflet
Title
Most Alarming Riots At Blackburn & The City Was Thrown Into Much Alarm On Wednesday At Blackburn ... Others Had Large Sledge Hammers...
Place
Blackburn; Accrington; Preston & Lancashire & England & UK
People
Luddites; weavers
Events
Luddite power loom smashing
Creator(s)
Description
This leaflet details a series of riots in Blackburn and the surrounding towns on 26 April 1826. North West weavers were angry that factories were taking their work. John Lancaster, the leader of the local weavers, wrote to the Home Secretary Robert Peel on 12 April asking for government help. Lancaster wrote: "Thousands who were once possessed of an honest independence gained by laborious industry, are now sunk in the lowest depths of poverty" Peel ignored the letter and the riots followed. Groups of workers broke into factories smashing the hated new machinery.
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