Look at Figs. 3, 7 and 11, then reread source B. Explain why many workers were opposed to the use of the Spinning Jenny.

Source B

A magistrate reported in 1790 about an incident when he was called in to protect a manufacturer’s property from being attacked by workers:

‘From the depredations of a lawless Banditti of colliers and their wives, for the wives had lost their work to spinning engines … they advanced at first with much insolence, avowing their intention of cutting to pieces the machine lately introduced in the woollen manufacture; which they suppose, if generally adopted, will lessen the demand for manual labour. The women became clamorous. The men were more open to conviction and after some expostulation were induced to desist from their purpose and return peaceably home.’

J.L. Hammond and B. Hammond, The Skilled Labourer 1760-1832, quoted in Maxine Berg, The Age of Manufactures.

By looking at the given figures it is clear that earlier one wheel could yarn only one spindle. At that time all members of a family were employed and earning. But due to Spinning Jenny, productivity increased, as many spindles could be yearned at one time from one wheel. This led to an increase in unemployment specially among women as they lost their traditional job. Therefore, many workers were opposed to the use of Spinning Jenny.