Artisan Republicanism: a Forgotten Movement of The Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution was a period of significant economic growth that occurred in Europe and North America during the 18th and 19th centuries. It was characterized by changes in technology, manufacturing, and society that fundamentally altered the way people lived and worked. The Industrial Revolution brought about significant changes in the political, cultural, and economic landscape, as well as in the way people viewed themselves and their relationship with others.

Artisan Republicanism

One aspect of the Industrial Revolution that has received less attention is the rise of artisan republicanism. Artisan republicanism represented a movement among skilled craftspeople and other workers to support the idea of social equality and democratic government. This movement was inspired by the ideals of the American and French revolutions and was often associated with early labor unions and other worker organizations.

Artisan republicanism developed in response to the emerging social and economic order of the Industrial Revolution. As machines and factories replaced traditional artisanal and craft production, skilled craftspeople found themselves displaced from their traditional roles and often forced to work in factories under harsh and oppressive conditions. At the same time, large numbers of rural people were migrating to cities in search of work, leading to overcrowding, poverty, and social dislocation. Artisan republicans saw these changes as a threat to the traditional social order and sought to assert their rights and status as skilled workers.

In addition to its economic dimensions, artisan republicanism also had significant political implications. Artisan republicans believed in the importance of democratic government, and many were active in the early labor movement and other social reform movements. They saw themselves as defenders of the common people and champions of equality and freedom, challenging the entrenched power of the aristocracy and other elites.

Despite the important role played by artisan republicanism during the Industrial Revolution, its legacy has been largely forgotten or ignored. Part of the reason for this is that many of the social and economic changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution were so profound that they overshadowed the more incremental changes associated with artisan republicanism. Moreover, the movement was often depicted as backward-looking and reactionary, stuck in its nostalgia for a bygone era of artisanal production.

However, recent scholarship has begun to reassess the legacy of artisan republicanism and to appreciate its lasting impact on society. Scholars have been particularly interested in the role that artisan republicans played in shaping the early labor movement and other social reform movements. They have also emphasized the importance of artisan republicanism as an alternative vision of the Industrial Revolution, one that emphasized the value of skilled work and the dignity of the worker.

In conclusion, the Industrial Revolution was a period of significant economic and social change that fundamentally altered the way people lived and worked. The rise of artisan republicanism represented an important response to these changes, as skilled craftspeople and other workers sought to assert their rights and status in the emerging social and economic order. Despite being largely forgotten or ignored, the legacy of artisan republicanism remains relevant today, as we continue to grapple with questions of inequality, democracy, and civic engagement in our society.