Luddites

Groups of workmen rioting against the new machines and factories, often with violence. The name supposedly comes from the signature “Ned Ludd” on a workmen’s manifesto (Ned Ludd is said to be a young man from Leicestershire who broke some machinery in 1799). Luddites protested during the time of the Napoleonic Wars in 1811 and 1812, protesting against the new mechanical looms and machines, which, so they argued, took away their work. Suspected as French insurgents and dangerous subjects, the Luddite riots were put down by force.

References

J.P. Kenyon, ed. Wordsworth Dictionary of British History. London: Wordsworth, 1994.