Key Legislation- The Combination Acts (1799-1800)

The Combination Acts were passed in Britain in 1799 and 1800. They were a series a of six acts which prevented freedom of speech and were very harsh on the working class. Their purpose was to control the poorer people to prevent revolts which had been inspired by the French Revolution.

• Made trade unions illegal- gave workers fewer rights
• A worker who worked with another to get more wages or fewer hours is sentenced to three months imprisonment or two months hard labour 
• Sentence was given by two Magistrates
• Difficult to appeal
• Anyone giving money to a person convicted under these acts were subject to fine
• Employers combinations forbidden- never any recorded cases
• It is widely accepted that Pitt over reacted and his response was too harsh- but it must be said it was an effective measure to take  
• When the Acts were taken back in 1824 there were multiple strikes
• An attempt to bring them back was made in 1825- it was not unsuccessful