Luddism sources lesson

Investigating the Luddites

Was Luddism just mindless violence?

Evaluate the sources  Good/reliable things about this 

sourceBad/unreliable  things about this source

How far does it help us answer the question?

ALetter from Luddites 

B Physical artefact

C Newspaper

D Historian

E Popular culture

Use these questions to help you evaluate the sources• What does this source say is the Luddites’ reason for action?• Which aspect of this source do you think is doubtful?• Should we treat this as a primary or a secondary source?

• Why do you think people would write a song like this?• What do you think the author’s claim is based on?• What motivation might this writer have for making the events sound gory and violent?• How does this source show the author’s bias?

How strongly does each source support the view that Luddism was ‘mindless violence’?

Supports the statement

Opposes the statement