ABSTRACT

First published in 1995, this book provides a readable survey of the three major forms of working-class self-help in nineteenth century England: the trade unions, the friendly societies and the co-operative movement. It is accessible to an introductory student readership as well as providing a critical appraisal of all types and forms of self-help available to the industrial working-class. Unlike former studies, the author examines trade unionism alongside friendly societies and the co-operative movement and shows how each developed in response to the challenge of industrialization and the demands of urban industrial life. The strengths and limitations of self-help approaches are assessed and wider issues of working-class culture and identity are examined.

This book will be of interest to those studying the history of social welfare, class and industrial Britain.

chapter |6 pages

Introduction

part One|64 pages

The friendly societies

chapter Chapter Two|26 pages

The growth of the affiliated and other societies

chapter Chapter Three|18 pages

Friendly societies after 1875

part Two|112 pages

The trade unions

chapter Chapter Four|21 pages

The early days of trade unions 1780–1825

chapter Chapter Five|24 pages

Legal but under suspicion 1825–1850

chapter Chapter Six|20 pages

Model unionism and respectability 1850–1880

chapter Chapter Seven|20 pages

New unionism and new outlooks 1880–1900

chapter Chapter Eight|24 pages

The political and industrial scene 1900–1914

part Three|47 pages

The co-operative movement

chapter Chapter Nine|17 pages

Before Rochdale

chapter Chapter Ten|19 pages

Rochdale and after: the Modern Movement

chapter |7 pages

Conclusions