The Luddites

The Luddites were early 19th-century workers in England who opposed the Industrial Revolution’s mechanization, particularly the new textile machinery. Seeing their jobs and skills threatened by machines that could produce goods faster and cheaper, they organized protests, sometimes destroying machines and factories. Their actions reflected concerns about unemployment, declining wages, and the erosion of traditional craftsmanship. While often labeled as anti-technology, their protests highlighted broader issues of economic change, workers’ rights, and social stability during a period of rapid industrial growth.