Why did enraged hand spinners riot and destroy the creations of James Hargreaves in 1768?
Answer
They feared the machine threatened their livelihoods and income
For generations, hand spinning had provided a crucial source of income, particularly for women and children within the home. When Hargreaves introduced a machine capable of doing the work of eight people, it was perceived as a direct threat to the established order of labor. This fear of displacement and impending poverty led to violent opposition, with groups of spinners targeting the inventor's home and machinery, eventually forcing him to flee Lancashire for Nottingham.
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