What was the purpose of the Combination Acts?

Combination Acts, 1799–1800. These Acts were directed against trade unions (combinations of workmen) when the government feared unrest and even revolution. Combinations were in fact already illegal under both common law and statute; the Acts were intended to simplify and speed up prosecution by summary trial.

What was the Combination Act 1799?

The Combination Act 1799 ( 39 Geo. 3. c. 81) titled "An Act to prevent Unlawful Combinations of Workmen", prohibited trade unions and collective bargaining by British workers. The Act received royal assent on 12 July 1799. An additional Act, the Combination Act 1800, was passed in 1800 ( 39 & 40 Geo. 3. c. 106).

When did the combination laws come into force?

The Combination Laws remained in force until they were revealled in 1824. This was followed by an outbreak of strikes and as a result the 1825 Combination Act was passed which again imposed limitations on the right to strike. (4) The campaign against the Combination Acts was led by the trade union leader, Francis Place.