Historical Events

Below are some of the historical events that surrounded Dickens' creation of Hard Times and are relevant to Dickens' understanding of the labor issues he presents in the novel.

Summer    1853   

Preston weavers refuse 10% increase; by September most are striking

October   1853   

Owners close all mills in town in general lock-out; 20,000 are out of work

January   1854   

Dickens visits Preston

February  1854   

Dickens' "On Strike" published in Household Words

March     1854   

Irish workers brought into Preston

April     1854   

Strike collapses; publication of Henry Morley's "Ground in the Mill" in Household Words