Major revolts by silk workers, called "Canuts" took place
in Lyon, France and elsewhere in France. These revolts
were known collectively as the Canut revolts. These rebellions
occurred in 1831, 1834 and 1848. They were among the first
well-defined uprisings by a new "class" that appeared, during
the Industrial Revolution, known as the proletariat: workers
that possessed only their labor power. The overwhelming majority
of Canuts could not afford ownership of their own Jacquard looms.
The First Canut revolt in 1831 was provoked by a bad economy
(over production: a saturated market) and a resultant drop in
silk prices, which caused a drop in workers' wages. The Canuts
wanted a minimum price imposed on silk. The refusal of the
manufacturers to reduce their profits, rebelled. The Canutes
seized the arsenal and repulsed the local national guard and
military in a bloody battle, which left the Canuts in control
of the Lyon. The government sent Marshal Jean-de-Dieu Soult, a
veteran of the Napoleonic Wars, at the head of an army of 20,000
to restore order. Soult was able to retake the town without any
bloodshed, and without making any compromises with the workers.
Some workers were arrested. This governmental opposition to the
Canuts had its dangers: the French government derived much
profit from the labor of the Canutes: too much oppression and
the government could kill the goose that layed the golden egg.
After all, France was attempting to compete with an English
slave based Industrial Revolution.
The Second Canut revolt took place in 1834 when owners attempted
to further exploit the proletariat. The workers rebelled again.
The government crushed the rebellion in a bloody battle, and
deported or imprisoned 10,000 insurgents.
The third rebellion occurred in 1848, due once again to further
exploitation of the proletariat.
These rebellions were watched with acute interest by governmental
officials from other countries, such as Russia. Tsarist oficials
were also interested in this new "class", the proletariat, as
Russia was slowly creating factories, thus was developing its own
proletariat (also engaged in textile industries, such as at
Kreenholm).
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