History of Manchester - 7. Radical City

The industrial revolution wasn't the only thing that Manchester played a big part in. In fact, as the world's first industrial city, it was also one of the first to suffer many of the side effects of the newly emerging capitalism. Sudden wage labour jobs brought with them extreme poverty, exploitation, and ill health, and made many working people expendable in the eyes of the ruling class.
The problem was, ordinary people didn't have any real rights. Decades of collective action and social activism slowly began to introduce a new side to the political spectrum. The emergence of Britain's political left empowered ordinary people, but there different ideas about how economies should work and what the world would look like. Manchester became a hub to radical thinking, from free marketeers like Richard Cobden to utopian socialists like Robert Owen.
And it also in a small window alcove of a small Manchester library that two philosophers from Germany studied and formed the foundations of their own version of socialism: Communism. They were Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels and their ideas would revolutionise the world in years to come.
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[@7834-m9y]

Great video, scary modern parallels. Not much has changed!

[@hond654]

Manchester was a starting point of so many things, hard to imagine nowadays when you only see the new office and residential buildings without industry...Repression and exploitation is less visible but still present. Thanks for reminding us.

[@nicolebroome66]

Glad to see this series back!! Amazing as always

[@jetsons101]

Why would somebody not watch your vid? It's best to learn all points of view on any subject, especially history. Thanks for all your time, work and research.

[@EclecticMusicMan]

Only far right idealist’s and bigots would not want to watch it.

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thanks Mike! I'm just a worrier...

[@johanneswerner1140]

Which is understandable - and sad. Too many deal in absolutes (which are so much simpler than actually finding a compromise and a real solution). It's hard to teach this to our kids (and ourselves).

[@jetsons101]

@@johanneswerner1140 A history teacher???

[@tremensdelirious]

As a chap from Mossley, was always proud that protesters at Peterloo were from Mossley and Saddleworth

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Yes! High five for that comment! 🫸🫷

[@ffrancrogowski2192]

A very interesting account of the city and surrounds in the troubled past, Ollie. That Peterloo massacre is still today to some devout Mancunians, a very big reminder of how people suffered under capitalism, and we don't want an occurrence of anything of the like to happen again. A great video, thank you.

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thanks Ffranc 👍

[@nikbennett4894]

Thanks for all the work you do, especially in these videos. Thankfully, much of this information was passed down to me in the oral tradition from my great grandfather and my grandmother. I’ve passed it to my kids and will pass it down as I received it to my granddaughter. When I was a kid, my grandma would take me into town to see Lincoln’s statue. She was so happy that out ancestors did the right thing in the Cotton Famine. I’ll be back home in a few months. I always have a bevvy in The Briton’s Protection.

[@hoof2001]

Showing this to 14/15 year olds in history lessons instead of the deathly boring reading about that period would bring it all to life and actually encourage a real interest. I remember switching off walking into history many decades ago.

[@extrude22]

This channel deserves way more views

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thanks that's nice! 👍

[@sarenamartin5588]

Just finished this whole series i'd say binged watched (as I would a netflix series) a good few hours spent on a bank holiday. And can I say for me the knowledge, story telling and delivery was just as good as any I would see on netflix. Your delivery was amazing and extremely engaging 👏. As a proud adopted daughter of Manchester (with most of my life spent here) I love this City and you gave an amazing historic series here, I am left eagerly wanting more! Hoping you will find time to quench this thirst! Thank you!

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Aw thanks that's an amazing thing to say 😊

[@MrTSK27]

Loved this. Thanks. Live in Manchester but was brought up in Lanarkshire. Note SPELLING !! New Lanark is well worth a visit.

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Ah I always mess something up!

[@MrKb1959]

Brilliantly presented and researched as usual, thanks .Keith the roofer .

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Nice one, thanks Keith!

[@aaronaardvark1592]

Outstanding work, this is close to TV quality, highly informative. Well done.

[@davidtruman4590]

Another excellent and most thought-provoking video; such a rarity in our time, when real political discourse is so lacking and the class-based socialism on the left has given way almost entirely to identity politics. How ironic that this should happen in the twenty-first century, when we need to consider our relationship to the means of production, to wealth and to power, just as much as then. Thomas Paine, whom Americans like to thank for their Constitution, is someone whose socialism is overlooked across the pond, as much as his importance as a great political thinker has been excluded from the version of English history we are fed.

[@michaelpilling531]

The History of Manchester. An absolutely fascinating series of videos. Brilliantly made and presented. I wish history lessons like this were available when I was at school. Congratulations Ollie.

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thank you that's really nice to hear. Glad somebody gets some use out of them anyway 😁

[@ethanhayes9989]

Great video. I enjoy these Manchester history videos, so much has happened in this city. Years ago I watched an excellent play at the exchange about the luddites through to peterloo and it really stuck with me. So much history is written by the big names and the normal people get ignored and hence the term we still use today in a derogatory way - "luddite". People fighting for their livelihoods and rights, and yet even now the establishment holds onto distorting their history. Hope to see another video like this soon! Thank you.

[@cubicinches18]

Much of Manchesters working class history has been and still is distorted and shrouded in falsehoods by thge powerful and influential.

[@MichaelThomasDev]

Ah man, I'm going to really enjoy this one. cheers mate

[@matthewpickles211]

Incredible stuff. More please.

[@roconnor01]

I really enjoy your work,thanks for taking the time to post this film.

[@martinjones7998]

Brilliantly told! Love it 👍🏻

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Cheers thanks mate

[@MePeterNicholls]

I love Manchester and find your videos so engaging. If ever I see you I’ll buy you a coffee! Imagine what you could do with a production crewe

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Hey thanks that's really nice of you to say!

[@hyperballadbradx6486]

Nice new instalment.... I don't feel swayed at all (Komrade) :P

[@sootytailpipes74]

Excellent research and also presentation! Thank you

[@PhilipMurphyExtra]

Wonderful research and presentation, Thank you.

[@ramblinactivist]

'Unruly Mobbs'... that's my cousin! 🙂 Brilliant video! Thanks!

[@RingwayManchester]

Great job Billy

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thanks Ferris

[@fantasticfraggle]

Amazing video! I've been following your channel for aaaaaaages, I love local/domestic history, but this video PROPER resonated with me ♥

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Awesome, thank you!

[@brynvjones6679]

A thoroughly professional presentation. Excellent stuff.

[@birotomodachi]

I look forward to future episodes in the series on Manchester history - possibly into in through the 20th century.

[@turnerthemanc]

Superb watch as ever. Suggestion for another video: The Stockport Plane crash

[@paulgauntlett]

What a fantastic series I’ve just binged! ❤ A lot of effort must have gone into the research. I’ve learnt a great deal about our wonderful city. Hopefully many more will discover!

[@carolebox2653]

Wow!!!!! Fantastic!! I feel like tv should show this and all schools should be watching this!!! ❤❤❤ 😂😂😂 Carole xx

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thanks Carole! 😊

[@TroyTempest0]

Another great video Ollie - lookin' forward to next one !

[@andyshacks7812]

That was a really interesting and well-researched video. Thanks Ollie ! 🙏

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thanks Andy!

[@simonfunwithtrains1572]

Hi Ollie, oh how things have not changed very much, where the super rich still have too much influence and access to those in power that control outcomes that best suit themselves, at the expense of the working people of this country. I feel that most of those with wealth, and power, have no true understanding of the struggles of the average working person. Ollie, I have a question, you include in your film at 18:04 a photograph of young boys sat in some sort of frame, doing a job, I could not work out what they were doing. Could you enlighten me? Thank you so much for another interesting and informative video. Very best wishes to you, S & Jx

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Hi S&J so sorry I missed this message originally!!! Thanks so much for the lovely comment. The picture shows breaker boys (and girls) seperating coal from it's impurities by hand. Fairly common in Victorian era mining I believe. Not a very nice job for kids to do, 10 hours a day :/

[@simonrichards6739]

As one of our favourite Manchester sons once said “Manchester, so much to answer for”!

[@sglenny001]

I'm gonna quote what Mt grandad said who was a member of Democrats Union of Miners "if a Revolution is to happen it be short turn Charge but easier to achieve whilst if You Turn to reform it takes longer but shall last longer too" the thought of surch belifs inspires me and a story my grandad told me is when he was 16 on his first Friday he went to the pub he was born next to the pub owner originally refused to serve into they said "he's done a man's work he needs an man's drink" I have alot respect for grandad who sadly passed anway last year

[@AyubManggalaPutra]

Great Video, thank you!

[@steveandthedogs]

One of your best.

[@jacquelinefilby1842]

Yay! Brilliant Ollie. We need to revisit all this again in todays society.

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thanks Jacqueline!

[@Breesey]

Great video. In theory technology today should make it more practicable than ever for the working class to self-organise and demand the position in society it deserves. If only we could all drag ourselves away from TikTok and divisive culture wars and actually make it happen.

[@henryg3146]

Very very good video! One of the most historically significant cities in the world. What a great presentation. Good work mate.

[@cubicinches18]

Our heritage isn't a Tower Bridge, Bagpipes or a Harp. Our heritage isn't printed on T towels to be sold in gift shops. Our heritage has had much greater impact by changing the living and working conditions of millions and millions of working class people throughout the world. Our heritage includes a cemetary that if you are a Mancunian with generations of the city, through the Industrial Revolution, it is likely we have kin at rest in Angel Meadow. In Australia Union and Union activity was once known as the "Pommie Disease" because union officials and shop stewards were mainly English with northern English accents. Where Australians and migrants from other parts of the world would gather and whine about wages and conditions, it was the Northern English, some Scottish and some Irish who would stand up and organise. The heritage of the people of St Peters fiels is a living heritage.

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Nicely written! I might quote this one day!

[@cubicinches18]

@@BeeHereNowuk Thank you feel free to use it

[@RoamingRambling]

All respect for you making this video. Great job 👌

[@Nathan.Manchester]

Excellent Video you've educated me on Manchester a little more (especially the bit on Salford) 👍👍

[@henryg3146]

Salford is just Manchester with a silly name.

[@Nathan.Manchester]

@@henryg3146 true

[@pauldavid22212]

Brilliant. Informative and evocative. 👏👏

[@kevintynan796]

Thank you for this really great video. It’s important to remember the sacrifices made by the early labour movement . Nothing would have changed if the industrial Barons were left to their own selfish profiteering ways.

[@MrKb1959]

Thanks, brilliantly presented and well researched. You must be an x media student, loved it . Thanks.

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thank you!

[@cubicinches18]

What a fantastic video an untold and often denied history of the struggle of the working classes for nothing more than a "Fair days pay for a fair days work" and conditions of labour. When I was at school history was wash driedd pressed and sanitised to maintain the hierarchical status Quo where the working classes are made to appear dependeny on the land, mills and factury owners and were not of the ilk that could possibly contribute anything worthwhile to government. We were taught about Bridgewater, Stevenson. It was up to my father to teach me about Engels and Marx and places like Angel Meadow. If I had the money I would set up a production company for you Martin Zero, Urbex, Daft Monkey and all the rest of the younger generation who take up so much endeavour and time to tell our real history

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thanks mate that's really nice to hear. It's so sad that even industrial history is only told from one point of view.

[@martinjones7998]

Brilliant! Looking forward to the next episode! 👍🏻

[@jacobjallen2620]

Great video

[@johanneswerner1140]

I visited Manchester a few years back, I mixed up my travel schedule (duplicate placenames, though I cannot remember which ones!). Thanks for the history lesson! Great video, as always

[@ianp7661]

Fab video, as always! We should've got rid of the house of lords and monarchy when given the chance. Feels like we're going backwards at the moment.

[@ruthbrierley1798]

Great video! Thanks Ollie!

[@Robdutton91]

Fantastic as always

[@dougieadamson7028]

Thanks for the knowledge.

[@MartinAhlman]

This is horrible, and wonderful, to see. This is history, and also recent news.

[@sergeykuzmichev8064]

Truly a crucial city for understanding the world today really makes me want to visit.. good luck readin throught the comments on this one oof

[@neonskyline1]

Nothing has changed

[@totherarf]

Now That was well done! About as apolitical as you can be covering the subject! Tories and the Whigs ...... Some things never seem to change, do they!

[@kenbennett]

Thanks

[@pedrobarrosviolao4133]

Great video. Came to learn a bit about the history of this city known to me only by its football teams and got to know that Marx himself had been there among other fascinating events. Great work, sucess ☘

[@jaredmehrlich6683]

I love your two tone pink look. You look like a Valentine's Day candy.

[@sglenny001]

I'm gonna quote what Mt grandad said who was a member of Democrats Union of Miners "if a Revolution is to happen it be short turn Charge but easier to achieve whilst if You Turn to reform it takes longer but shall last longer too" the thought of surch belifs inspires me and a story my grandad told me is when he was 16 on his first Friday he went to the pub he was born next to the pub owner originally refused to serve into they said "he's done a man's work he needs an man's drink" I have alot respect for grandad who sadly passed anway last year

[@nobbyblob9906]

The most important fact about all the political revolutions, is who provided the vast funding necessary for this to succeed. It seems to be assumed that it was self-funding; it was not! Why is this always overlooked?

[@tonyholmes962]

nae c in Lanark. Luv yer wurck bye the way.

[@trainrover]

I'm afraid that Québécois are mere pushovers though...like "the Empire state" goes for its New York neighbour, their provincial jurisdiction nowadays has "I remember" for its motto, refering to their independance prior to the anglo conquest; it happens to refer to their era when either wilfully or dutifully the New French left administrative governance to the hoity-toity class of colonials hereabouts, whereas the adjacent anglo colonies had become mightily vociferous about participating at how they were ruled, a tellingly STARK contrast when one consider Quebec had become the continent's most locked down jurisdiction during the cleptoparasites' plandemic...b t w, this is my first time ever either reading or overhearing "British Quebec": might aggravating _les pure laines_ hereabouts be to turn you on..?

[@keith13fox]

My fear is there is a attempt by some to replicate our awful past with the idea of 15 minute city's

[@kaitlyn__L]

I’m not sure what you’ve been reading/watching about the topic, but there’s absolutely no reason it has to be horrible. It doesn’t mean you’re restricted to “15 minute’s distance” (which means different things depending on the mode of travel) but that your daily needs should be within 15 minutes of walking, and your ~weekly needs should be within 15 minutes of bike, tram, or train. Many European tourist spots already qualify as 15-minute (or even 10- or 5-minute cities) based on how many tiny corner shops there are. In many ways London is absolutely a 15-minute city. Most people are 5-10 minutes’ walk from a Tube or Overground station, and plentiful buses filling in the gaps. No one would think Londoners were stuck within their own little bubble and couldn’t move across the city! I would argue Oxford is also a 15-minute city already, within the actual city rather than the wider commuter area. Plenty of the UK’s cities are, or are very close, like Manchester and Glasgow.