Manchester's Working Class Legacy

Manchester, a city in northern England, is famous for its role in the working-class movement. It all started with a tragic event in 1819. That year, the British cavalry attacked a peaceful gathering of workers demanding political rights. This event, known as the Peterloo Massacre, left at least 18 people dead and many more injured. This was not just a local tragedy. It connected Manchester to a global history of workers' struggles. A monument in the city points to other similar events around the world, like the Lattimer mine strike in Pennsylvania and the Sharpeville massacre in South Africa. The city's importance in the working-class movement goes beyond this monument. Manchester was the world's first industrial city. During the Industrial Revolution, a new urban working class emerged. These workers faced terrible living conditions. German philosopher Friedrich Engels lived in Manchester for two decades. He wrote about the poor living conditions of the working class in his 1845 book, "The Condition of the Working Class in England. " Engels described the workers' homes as so bad that only a degraded race could feel comfortable there. This stark portrayal highlighted the dire situation of the working class. The city's rapid industrialization brought a mix of prosperity and poverty. While some people became wealthy, many workers lived in squalor. This stark contrast fueled demands for better conditions and political representation. Workers were not allowed to vote, and those in power were reluctant to give them the franchise. This exclusion led to growing resentment and calls for change. Working-class movements began to gain momentum throughout the 19th century, gradually winning some rights for urban workers. However, universal suffrage for men in the United Kingdom only happened in 1918, during World War I. Women had to wait even longer for universal suffrage, which came in 1928. Manchester's influence extended beyond its borders. The city's struggles inspired similar movements in Europe and beyond. Thinkers like Engels and Karl Marx were drawn to Manchester. Engels moved to the city in 1842 to manage his father's cotton factory. He witnessed the city's unrest and believed it might lead to revolution. Engels and Marx collaborated at Chetham's Library, writing about workers and class struggle. Their work helped shape the global understanding of the working class as a political force. The legacy of Manchester's working-class movement is still felt today. The People's History Museum in the city is dedicated to working-class history. It houses the world's oldest surviving trade union banner and posters linking international workers' struggles. What began in Manchester with the Peterloo Massacre has inspired social justice and labor movements worldwide. The city's history serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for workers' rights and equality.