Rebecca Riots as a Justifiable Expression of Rural Discontent

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Rebecca Riots as a Justifiable Expression of Rural Discontent

The Rebecca Riots were a justifiable expression of rural discontent

made by the farmers. This included the smashing of tollgates and

tollhouses across West Wales by angered farmers between 1839 - 1843. I

believe that the riots were a justifiable expression of rural

discontent to a large extent due to the status of the farmers and the

huge difference between rich and poor at the time.

The most important reason that contributed to the Rebecca Riots was

the living conditions and working conditions of the farmers. The

living conditions are described as terrible.

"I entered several farm labourers' cottages…..and found them mud

hovels, the floors of mud and full of holes, without chairs or tables,

generally half filled with peat packed in every corner. Beds were

none. In the most miserable part of St. Giles, in no part of England

did I ever witness such abject poverty." T.C Foster, The Times October

1843. This source can be judged as reliable on the grounds that, it is

a primary source article, written by and educated Englishman unlikely

to be biased towards the Welsh. The Times, who employs T.C Foster is

unlikely to support lies or biased opinions in their articles as they

are a reputable broadsheet newspaper. We also get a comparison to

known poor areas. This implies the extent of the farmers' terrible

living conditions. The farmers' diet was malnutricious, consisting

mainly of potatoes.

"The small farmer here breakfasts on oatmeal and water boiled called

'duffy'….or on a few mashed potatoes. He dines on potatoes and

buttermilk, with sometimes a little white Welsh...

... middle of paper ...

...criticised the ignorance of the Welsh language." The

commission made "Firm recommendations for reforming the turnpike

trusts including the introduction of equal tolls and the setting up of

Road Boards to take control of the roads." These recommendations

became law in August 1844.

Through this essay I have concluded that there are a number of factors

that caused the farmers to riot. These included poverty, agricultural

depression, the farmers' relationship with the land owners and the

tollgates. No one would listen to the farmers' pleas so they were

forced to take the law into their own hands. The riots stopped after

the Commission when the farmers could voice their opinions. This

proves that the "Rebeccaites" were justified in their actions and that

the Rebecca Riots were a justifiable expression of rural discontent.

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