Changes

In 1811, the economy of England was in depression. The [[United States|American]] market was closed to the British on account of the continued dispute over the seizure of American cargo ships bound for [[France|French]] ports during the [[Napoleonic Wars]]. (This dispute would escalate to the [[War of 1812]].) In addition, the harvests of [[wheat]] and other foodstuffs had been less than plentiful, with the result that food prices were higher than usual and indeed higher than many industrial workers could afford.

In 1811, the economy of England was in depression. The [[United States|American]] market was closed to the British on account of the continued dispute over the seizure of American cargo ships bound for [[France|French]] ports during the [[Napoleonic Wars]]. (This dispute would escalate to the [[War of 1812]].) In addition, the harvests of [[wheat]] and other foodstuffs had been less than plentiful, with the result that food prices were higher than usual and indeed higher than many industrial workers could afford.

Workers in the [[textile]] industries blamed the invention of mechanized [[loom]]s for the depression. Then in February of 1811, negotiations in and around [[Nottingham]] over wages and frame rents broke down. Workers smashed 200 frames between February and November 1811, and claimed to be under the orders of a "General" Ned Ludd.

Workers in the [[textile]] industries blamed the invention of mechanized [[loom]]s for the depression. Then in February 1811, negotiations in and around [[Nottingham]] over wages and frame rents broke down. Workers smashed 200 frames between February and November 1811, and claimed to be under the orders of a "General" Ned Ludd.

The movement spread from Nottingham to [[Lancashire]], [[Cheshire]], [[Liverpool]], and [[Manchester]]. In [[Stockport]], two men dressed as women and claiming to be the wives of Ned Ludd incited a riot that caused the destruction of many machines and damage to the house of a steam loom owner by thrown stones. Hundreds of rioters were arrested, and many were sentenced either to execution or to transport to the [[Botany Bay]] penal colony (specifically, [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]].)<ref name=suite101/>

The movement spread from Nottingham to [[Lancashire]], [[Cheshire]], [[Liverpool]], and [[Manchester]]. In [[Stockport]], two men dressed as women and claiming to be the wives of Ned Ludd incited a riot that caused the destruction of many machines and damage to the house of a steam loom owner by thrown stones. Hundreds of rioters were arrested, and many were sentenced either to execution or to transport to the [[Botany Bay]] penal colony (specifically, [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]].)<ref name=suite101/>