Chronology of Resistance
The history of all hitherto existing human society is the history of class struggles", Karl Marx
"No one ever made history by asking nicely", Hannah Sketchley
As a subject at school or for popular consumption, too much of history is taught from the perspective of the powerful and the victorious This site is a small contribution aimed at redressing that. It documents ongoing class conflict through history in England and in those lands of Great Britain dominated by English power.
Through the centuries we can see many instances of the expression of resistance of those with little or no property against those with property and political power who were seeking to increase exploitation and adjust economic, social and political relationships yet further in their favour.
"No one ever made history by asking nicely", Hannah Sketchley
As a subject at school or for popular consumption, too much of history is taught from the perspective of the powerful and the victorious This site is a small contribution aimed at redressing that. It documents ongoing class conflict through history in England and in those lands of Great Britain dominated by English power.
Through the centuries we can see many instances of the expression of resistance of those with little or no property against those with property and political power who were seeking to increase exploitation and adjust economic, social and political relationships yet further in their favour.
What is included?
his site provides a chronology of resistance by the lower classes to oppression and injustice. This does not only mean acts of direct protest or resistance. It includes the formations of bodies to stand up for the rights and interests of ordinary people and other moments when working people defended their rights and interests.
Some clarification is required. To be included here instances of resistance must involve a group of people protesting or resisting an instance of economic or political oppression. They need not be national; regional and local actions frequently reflect latent resistance to wider oppression. In many cases, of course, local issues became entangled with wider ones. Most protests exhibit some mixed motives, and sometimes issues of nationality, race and religion cloud the issue. Where the primary motive seems to have been race or religion (e.g. the Gordon riots), they are not included, although certainly in that case questions of social protest became entangled in anti-Catholicism. Although Trade Union activity is included, specific Trade Union disputes are not unless manifestations of wider struggle.
Included are instances of resistance against the state or its agents where they are acting for the ruling class. However, often the protestors do not see themselves as rebels or disloyal but appeal to the Crown against abuse, seeing themselves as loyal subjects. Few protests aimed at the total overthrow of the social order.
Some clarification is required. To be included here instances of resistance must involve a group of people protesting or resisting an instance of economic or political oppression. They need not be national; regional and local actions frequently reflect latent resistance to wider oppression. In many cases, of course, local issues became entangled with wider ones. Most protests exhibit some mixed motives, and sometimes issues of nationality, race and religion cloud the issue. Where the primary motive seems to have been race or religion (e.g. the Gordon riots), they are not included, although certainly in that case questions of social protest became entangled in anti-Catholicism. Although Trade Union activity is included, specific Trade Union disputes are not unless manifestations of wider struggle.
Included are instances of resistance against the state or its agents where they are acting for the ruling class. However, often the protestors do not see themselves as rebels or disloyal but appeal to the Crown against abuse, seeing themselves as loyal subjects. Few protests aimed at the total overthrow of the social order.
Calendar (under construction)
1 April 1914. Burston School Strike, Norfolk
1 June 1985. 'Battle of the Beanfield', Wiltshire
6 September 1830. Otmoor Riots, Oxfordshire. Formal 'unenclosing' ceremony
6 September 1843. Formation of the United Branches of Operative Potters (UBOP)
11 September 1648. Leveller Petition presented to Parliament
12 September 2015. Jeremy Corbyn elected leader of the Labour party
18 September 1809. Old Price Riots, London
28 September 1864. Beginning of the International Working Men's Association, London
30 September 1793. Bristol Bridge Riot
4 October 1936. Battle of Cable Street, London
5 October 1936. Start of the Jarrow Crusade
15 October 2011. Occupy London begins its first protest
18 October 1376. Beginning of the ‘Great Rumour’
19 October 1651. Outbreak of the Fen Revolt, Axholme.
24 October 1900. Election of Keir Hardie of the Independent Labour Party as MP for Merthyr Tydfil
28 October 1647. Beginning of the Putney debates, London
3 November 1450. Jack Cade enters London
4 November 1839. Newport Rising, South Wales
7 November 1842. Miners' Association of Great Britain and Ireland was formally established
13 November 1887. Bloody Sunday, Trafalgar Square, London
20 November 1837. Battle of Bradford, Yorkshire
21 November 1596. Oxfordshire Rising
22 November 1887. Pairc Deer Raid, Balallan, Isle of Lewis
22 November 1900. Great Strike at Penrhyn Quarry
1 June 1985. 'Battle of the Beanfield', Wiltshire
6 September 1830. Otmoor Riots, Oxfordshire. Formal 'unenclosing' ceremony
6 September 1843. Formation of the United Branches of Operative Potters (UBOP)
11 September 1648. Leveller Petition presented to Parliament
12 September 2015. Jeremy Corbyn elected leader of the Labour party
18 September 1809. Old Price Riots, London
28 September 1864. Beginning of the International Working Men's Association, London
30 September 1793. Bristol Bridge Riot
4 October 1936. Battle of Cable Street, London
5 October 1936. Start of the Jarrow Crusade
15 October 2011. Occupy London begins its first protest
18 October 1376. Beginning of the ‘Great Rumour’
19 October 1651. Outbreak of the Fen Revolt, Axholme.
24 October 1900. Election of Keir Hardie of the Independent Labour Party as MP for Merthyr Tydfil
28 October 1647. Beginning of the Putney debates, London
3 November 1450. Jack Cade enters London
4 November 1839. Newport Rising, South Wales
7 November 1842. Miners' Association of Great Britain and Ireland was formally established
13 November 1887. Bloody Sunday, Trafalgar Square, London
20 November 1837. Battle of Bradford, Yorkshire
21 November 1596. Oxfordshire Rising
22 November 1887. Pairc Deer Raid, Balallan, Isle of Lewis
22 November 1900. Great Strike at Penrhyn Quarry
