Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Britain, c1785–c1870: democracy, protest and reform - 2 Industrialis-…
Full specification wording
Paper 1, Option 1D: Britain, c1785–c1870: democracy, protest and reform - 2 Industrialis- ation and protest, c1785–c1870: Industrialisation, protest and reform: the changing nature and effectiveness of industrial protest, 1785–1870; the significance of Luddism, and the Swing Riots; the Ten Hour Movement; support for, opposition to, and the impact of factory reform, 1833–70, including the importance of the Factory Act 1833 and factory reforms of 1844–64; reforms affecting living conditions, 1848–70.
This topic traces industrial protest and reform from 1785 to 1870.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 3
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
This topic traces industrial protest and reform from 1785 to 1870. Early protest included machine-breaking, food riots and strikes; Luddism (1811–16) attacked machinery in the Midlands and North, while the Swing Riots (1830–31) targeted agricultural threshing machines and poor law authorities in southern England. Both were suppressed, but they exposed grievances and influenced debate. The Ten Hour Movement campaigned to limit working hours, especially for women and children. Factory reform was contested: manufacturers often opposed regulation, while reformers, some landowners and workers supported it. The Factory Act 1833 regulated child labour and created factory inspectors; further Acts in 1844–64 extended protections. Reforms affecting living conditions, 1848–70, included public health and housing measures. Assess how far protest and reform changed industrial society.
What earns the marks
- Explains the changing nature of industrial protest, 1785–1870, including machine-breaking, strikes, food riots and organised campaigns.
- Analyses the significance of Luddism and the Swing Riots, including their targets, regional character, suppression and longer-term impact.
- Explains the aims and methods of the Ten Hour Movement and its role in the wider campaign for shorter hours.
- Assesses support for and opposition to factory reform, including manufacturers, workers, reformers and the state.
- Evaluates the impact of factory reform, 1833–70, including the Factory Act 1833 and the reforms of 1844–64.
- Assesses reforms affecting living conditions, 1848–70, and how far they improved urban life.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating Luddism and the Swing Riots as identical.
Put it right: Distinguish their targets, regions and timing, and explain their different significance.
Assuming the Factory Act 1833 immediately created a ten-hour day for all workers.
Put it right: Explain that it regulated child labour and inspection, while the ten-hour goal came later.
Describing reform as either wholly successful or wholly ineffective.
Put it right: Judge impact by industry, age group and region, and by how far enforcement worked.
Exam tips
- For significance questions, weigh short-term suppression against longer-term influence on opinion and legislation.
- When assessing effectiveness, define the criterion you are using, such as changes in law, enforcement or workers' experience.
- Support arguments about reform with named Acts and dates, and explain what each measure did rather than merely naming it.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 1, Option 1D: Britain, c1785–c1870: democracy, protest and reform - 2 Industrialis- ation and protest, c1785–c1870: Industrialisation, protest and reform: the changing nature and effectiveness of industrial protest, 1785–1870; the significance of Luddism, and the Swing Riots; the Ten Hour Movement; support for, opposition to, and the impact of factory reform, 1833–70, including the importance of the Factory Act 1833 and factory reforms of 1844–64; reforms affecting living conditions, 1848–70. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
The Luddite disturbances of 1811–1816 were primarily directed against which development?
Listen
This topic traces industrial protest and reform from 1785 to 1870. Early protest included machine-breaking, food riots and strikes; Luddism (1811–16) attacked machinery in the Midlands and North, while the Swing Riots (1830–31) targeted agricultural threshing machines and poor law authorities in southern England. Both were suppressed, but they exposed grievances and influenced debate. The Ten Hour Movement campaigned to limit working hours, especially for women and children. Factory reform was contested: manufacturers often opposed regulation, while reformers, some landowners and workers supported it. The Factory Act 1833 regulated child labour and created factory inspectors; further Acts in 1844–64 extended protections. Reforms affecting living conditions, 1848–70, included public health and housing measures. Assess how far protest and reform changed industrial society. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains the changing nature of industrial protest, 1785–1870, including machine-breaking, strikes, food riots and organised campaigns. Analyses the significance of Luddism and the Swing Riots, including their targets, regional character, suppression and longer-term impact. Explains the aims and methods of the Ten Hour Movement and its role in the wider campaign for shorter hours. Assesses support for and opposition to factory reform, including manufacturers, workers, reformers and the state. A common slip: Treating Luddism and the Swing Riots as identical. Instead, distinguish their targets, regions and timing, and explain their different significance. Exam tip: For significance questions, weigh short-term suppression against longer-term influence on opinion and legislation.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Industrial protest and machine-breaking
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Luddism and the Swing Riots
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
The Ten Hour Movement
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Industrial protest and machine-breaking
- Protest from 1785 to 1870 that included machine-breaking, food riots and strikes, and whose nature and effectiveness changed over the period.
- Luddism and the Swing Riots
- Luddism attacked machinery in the Midlands and North, while the Swing Riots targeted agricultural threshing machines and poor law authorities in southern England; both were suppressed but exposed grievances.
- The Ten Hour Movement
- A campaign to limit working hours, especially for women and children, and part of the wider campaign for shorter hours.
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Test your understanding of Paper 1, Option 1D: Britain, c1785–c1870: democracy, protest and reform - 2 Industrialis- ation and protest, c1785–c1870: Industrialisation, protest and reform: the changing nature and effectiveness of industrial protest, 1785–1870; the significance of Luddism, and the Swing Riots; the Ten Hour Movement; support for, opposition to, and the impact of factory reform, 1833–70, including the importance of the Factory Act 1833 and factory reforms of 1844–64; reforms affecting living conditions, 1848–70.
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