The Tolpuddle Martyrs

The Tolpuddle Martyrs were a group of 19th-century farm laborers in England who formed a secret trade union to protest poor working conditions and low wages. In 1834, they were betrayed, arrested, and convicted of swearing illegal oaths, leading to their transportation to Australia as punishment. Their case sparked widespread public outrage and helped raise awareness about workers' rights. Over time, they became symbols of the struggle for fair labor practices, and most were eventually pardoned. Their story highlights the early fight for workers’ solidarity and fair treatment within a repressive legal environment.