ABSTRACT
Late in the eighteenth century a line of ironworks was established, from Aberdare to Blaenavon, along the high hills of the northern outcrop of the South Wales coalfield. This was the beginning of modern industrialism in Wales. By 1801 loose organisations of workers were protesting—with violence—against their conditions. In the Chartist movement a few years later South Wales members were among the strongest advocates of physical force. The march on Newport in 1839 was the most revolutionary action of the Chartist campaign. Wales is united only in tradition, and to some extent by language. Geography has inexorably separated it into at least three regions. Geology and the distribution of natural resources sharply mark off two industrial districts, one in the North, and one in the South. There is little in common industrially between these, and very little communication. The vast majority of mine-workers are in the North Wales Miners’ Association or the South Wales Miners’ Federation—both constituents of the M.F.G.B.
