luddite

Luddite refers to a radical English working-class movement that emerged during the early 19th century in response to mechanization in the textile industry. Participants sought to roll back new machinery, fearing wage cuts and unemployment. The name is linked to the possibly legendary figure Ned Ludd, said to have smashed two stocking frames in a moment of resistance. The movement organized mainly in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Staffordshire, and operated between 1811 and 1813. Luddites conducted night-time raids to damage or destroy machinery such as stocking frames, spinning frames, and power looms, aiming to pressure manufacturers and protect traditional hand processes.

Government and industry responses were swift and severe. The Frame Breaking Act of 1812 made machine breaking a capital offense, and the ensuing crackdown led to many arrests and executions. As the economic and political climate hardened, the movement declined, with most activity dying out by the mid-1810s, though occasional disturbances recurred.

In modern usage, the term “Luddite” has broadened beyond the historical groups. It is commonly used to describe hostility to or distrust of new technologies or automation, often applied to individuals or viewpoints skeptical of technological change. It is not a single contemporary movement, and contemporary discussions sometimes distinguish between legitimate concerns about technology and illegal acts of destruction.