This new history of British trade unionism offers the most concise and up-to-date account of 300 years of trade union development, from the earliest documented attempts at collective action by working people in the eighteenth century through to the very different world of 'New Unionism' and 'New Labour'.

This famous and comprehensive study presents the causes and effects of the 'mass market' revolution between 1850 and 1914, which led to our 'modern' world. The changes were unprecedented, extraordinary, democratic, and wide-ranging. They affected everyone. They still do so. This is a fascinating and wide-ranging account of the evolution of the 'mass' market consumer. And of the evolution of the retailing and leisure industries, with the enormous changes they made in the daily lives of the people. The author draws on much detailed contemporary economic and social data - including detailed family budgets - to demonstrate what happened. Professor Hamish Fraser shows that the standard of living of the British population rose in the late nineteenth-century as better health care and the new supplies of better foods, competitive prices, and new distribution methods had a dramatic impact on living standards, and on the extent of life itself. What had been luxuries became necessities, too; what had been scarce or exclusive - such as many exotic fresh fruits from abroad - became commonly available. Professor Fraser examines the social and economic causes and effects of this ongoing 'revolution'. For the first time most British people were able to buy better food and clothing. They gained access to better health care, and to many new goods and services, including new leisure opportunities - in many spectator and participatory sports, in seaside trips, and in such things as tickets for the popular music hall. The demand in the 'mass' market had an important impact on living standards, and with its effect on retailing and production. New multiples and department stores offered more efficient distribution. Competitive pricing was the 'norm'. Widespread advertising was introduced. The advent of canning and of refrigeration - together with cheaper and faster rail and ship transport - brought many new products to Britain to meet new 'mass' demand. The impact of rapid American and Germany industrial growth impacted on what was provided, and at what for many were affordable prices.

Features 8 volumes of British Trade Unions 1707-1918, reproduced in facsimile, showing the many significant pamphlets, essays, articles and letters from this important period in British history. Presented chronologically, the texts re-map the history of the trade union, contextualising its development from inception through to the 20th Century.

Features 8 volumes of British Trade Unions 1707-1918, reproduced in facsimile, showing the many significant pamphlets, essays, articles and letters from this important period in British history. Presented chronologically, the texts re-map the history of the trade union, contextualising its development from inception through to the 20th Century.

Drawing from a variety of libraries and archives, this collection brings together material to illustrate the history of the development of trade unionism and industrial relations. It spans the period from the early journeymen's trade societies as they emerged in the 18th-Century through to the end of the First World War.

Drawing from a variety of libraries and archives, this collection brings together material to illustrate the history of the development of trade unionism and industrial relations. It spans the period from the early journeymen's trade societies as they emerged in the 18th-Century through to the end of the First World War.

Drawing from a variety of libraries and archives, this collection brings together material to illustrate the history of the development of trade unionism and industrial relations. It spans the period from the early journeymen's trade societies as they emerged in the 18th-Century through to the end of the First World War.

Drawing from a variety of libraries and archives, this collection brings together material to illustrate the history of the development of trade unionism and industrial relations. It spans the period from the early journeymen's trade societies as they emerged in the 18th-Century through to the end of the First World War.

Features 8 volumes of British Trade Unions 1707-1918, reproduced in facsimile, showing the many significant pamphlets, essays, articles and letters from this important period in British history. Presented chronologically, the texts re-map the history of the trade union, contextualising its development from inception through to the 20th Century.

Features 8 volumes of British Trade Unions 1707-1918, reproduced in facsimile, showing the many significant pamphlets, essays, articles and letters from this important period in British history. Presented chronologically, the texts re-map the history of the trade union, contextualising its development from inception through to the 20th Century.

The eight volumes of British Trade Unions 1707-1918 reproduce in facsimile the many significant pamphlets, essays, articles and letters on this theme from this important period in British history. Presented chronologically, the texts re-map the history of the trade union, contextualising its development from inception through to the Twentieth Century. Drawing from a wide variety of libraries and archives, the collection brings together extremely rare material to illustrate the history of the development of trade unionism and industrial relations. Each volume is organized into broad themes such as trade societies, structures, ideologies, employers and employees, friends and enemies, and union among the unions. Making much of developments in industrial relations, various strikes and general unrest, the collection spans the period from the early journeymen's trade societies as they emerged in the Eighteenth Century through to the end of the First World War, when trade unions were challenging the way in which industry was organised.

Drawing from a variety of libraries and archives, this collection brings together material to illustrate the history of the development of trade unionism and industrial relations. It spans the period from the early journeymen's trade societies as they emerged in the 18th-Century through to the end of the First World War.

Filling a significant gap in the history of the Scottish press and in Scottish social history, this book draws on a range of sources. It examines the great expansion of Scottish newspapers, following the removal of the 'taxes on knowledge' through to the mid-20th century. W. Hamish Fraser provides the historical basis for meaningful, in-depth study of many different aspects of the Scottish press and adds a new dimension to Scottish historical studies. Through an extensive search of newspapers, the use of local history material and of the limited business and organisational records that are available, he gathers little-known information on the world of Scottish journalism and on the people who provided the mass of the population with their news and tried to shape their attitudes. By focusing on different regions, he moves away from earlier rather sweeping generalisations on a key part of the media in Scotland, and he assesses the extent of continuity and change in a crucial century.