John Gast (activist) facts for kids
John Gast (born 1772, died 1837) was an English shipwright and a champion for workers' rights. He was one of the first people to help create trade unions. Shipwrights are skilled workers who build and repair ships.
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Early Life and Work
John Gast worked in the shipyards of Deptford, a place in south-east London. He also spent some time living in a nearby area called Rotherhithe.
Fighting for Workers' Rights
Gast believed that workers should have better conditions and fair treatment. He tried to start a workers' group in the 1790s, but it wasn't successful at first.
Forming Early Unions
In 1802, during a strike by shipwrights, Gast helped set up a group called the 'Hearts of Oak Benefit Society'. He also wrote pamphlets, like 'Calumny Defeated', to speak up for workers' rights.
Later, Gast worked with regional groups to build more trade unions. In 1822, he formed a 'Committee of the Useful Classes'. This group is sometimes seen as an early national council for different trades. In 1824, he became the first secretary of the 'Thames Shipwrights Provident Union'. Gast also promoted a larger group that brought different unions together, called 'The Philanthropic Hercules'.
Standing Up for Unions
In 1825, laws called the Combination Acts were removed. These laws had made it difficult for workers to form unions. However, employers were unhappy and wanted the laws brought back.
To fight against this, workers' movements began to grow. John Gast started the first Trades Newspaper with Joseph Clinton Robertson. This newspaper helped share information and ideas among workers.
The Chartist Movement
In 1836, Gast joined the London Working Men's Association. Some members of this group later wrote the main ideas for the People's Charter. These ideas were at the heart of the Chartist movement, which fought for more rights for working people.
His Legacy
John Gast was a very important leader in the history of working-class movements. He helped shape how workers could come together and fight for their rights in England. He was known for his strong leadership and his dedication to improving the lives of ordinary people.
