Rebecca riots
"The Rebecca Riots were mainly the product of dire poverty gripping West Wales" How valid is this assessment of the causes of the Rebecca riots, 1839-1844?
The Rebecca riots were a series of protests against conditions in the rural areas of Wales between 1839 and 1844. It was a time of growing discontent among the poor, they were under increasing pressure from the cost of all necessaries in life. Interpretation suggests that the Rebecca riots were a consequence of extreme poverty caused by many factors. They are largely known for their attacks on toll gates. They attacked the toll gates because they were tangible objects in which to release frustration. However many Rebecca incidents were regarding dire poverty and general economic conditions in the countryside and not about tolls.
The origin of the name Rebecca comes from a biblical quote, "And they blessed Rebecca and said to her thou art our sister, be thou mother of thousand of millions and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them." (Genesis 24:60). The people saw this as a sign for action against the turnpike trusts. The other origin for Rebecca came from the accepted leader of the first protests Thomas Rees who wore women's clothing when leading the attacks to disguise himself. He was a large man and it's said he borrowed the clothes from a lady named Rebecca. The consequences of the auctions would be serious such as transportation, so the men knew they had to hide their identity during the attacks.
The turnpike trusts were created by private acts of of parliament. Their purpose was to upgrade specific stretches of road and they were authorised to levy tolls in order to repay their subscribers. The toll gates were increasingly popular in England and Wales. Money was collected to maintain the roads but a number of trusts kept profits for themselves ; many trusts were inefficient and neglected roads.
Turnpike trusts were a particular burden for the tenant farmers and the farm
The Rebecca riots were a series of protests against conditions in the rural areas of Wales between 1839 and 1844. It was a time of growing discontent among the poor, they were under increasing pressure from the cost of all necessaries in life. Interpretation suggests that the Rebecca riots were a consequence of extreme poverty caused by many factors. They are largely known for their attacks on toll gates. They attacked the toll gates because they were tangible objects in which to release frustration. However many Rebecca incidents were regarding dire poverty and general economic conditions in the countryside and not about tolls.
The origin of the name Rebecca comes from a biblical quote, "And they blessed Rebecca and said to her thou art our sister, be thou mother of thousand of millions and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them." (Genesis 24:60). The people saw this as a sign for action against the turnpike trusts. The other origin for Rebecca came from the accepted leader of the first protests Thomas Rees who wore women's clothing when leading the attacks to disguise himself. He was a large man and it's said he borrowed the clothes from a lady named Rebecca. The consequences of the auctions would be serious such as transportation, so the men knew they had to hide their identity during the attacks.
The turnpike trusts were created by private acts of of parliament. Their purpose was to upgrade specific stretches of road and they were authorised to levy tolls in order to repay their subscribers. The toll gates were increasingly popular in England and Wales. Money was collected to maintain the roads but a number of trusts kept profits for themselves ; many trusts were inefficient and neglected roads.
Turnpike trusts were a particular burden for the tenant farmers and the farm