The Significance of the Role of Tom Mann in Challenging Authority in Britain in 1881-1941 - Coursework Example

Tom Mann Eminent social activists and thinkers often refer to Tom Mann as one among the prominent trade unionists and socialists in Great Britain during the 1880s. He has imprinted his indelible mark in the social and political scenario of Britain. While inflowing to his career as a good activist, he also brought into being ample time to get involved in socialist as well as political spheres. An overview of Mann’s biography exposes his access to political field in the year 1894, when he received the secretary position in the independent labour party. Later he organized frequent meetings of his party which augmented him to the position of a very notable trade union leader. It may be because his ability to indulge in matters related to labourers many regard him as a powerful and truthful advocate in England who could attend courts for resolving labour issues. Analyzing the historical records, one can identify that Mann always liked to keep in touch with the revolutionary workers. Harry Pollitt (2006) makes it clear when he truly narrates the character of Mann. According to him, “Tom Mann was proud that he was a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party. He felt that this crowned his life’s work and brought him into close contact with the revolutionary workers of the whole world.” During his life time, Tom Mann proved himself as an efficient organizer and eloquent speaker who could attract the attention of people. One can observe that it may be his eloquence as a speaker which endeared people to him and enabled them to follow his ideas and thoughts. An overview reveals that the ideas he propounded have a vital status even in current labour issues. At the time of labour movement, he performed as the best labour campaigner and excellent spokesman of his time. Tom Mann’s socialist ideology can be identified when observing his views towards the First World War. Without any chance of a debate, Mann showed his opposition towards Britain’s involvement in the First World War. Tom Mann developed his philosophy through socialism and the socialist principles had a great impact all through his life. His favour to socialism is visible in his act of joining British Socialist Party. He joined the British Socialist Party, an organization hostile to the war and in 1917 supported the Russian Revolution and suggested the creation of soviets in Britain (Spartacus Educational, n. d) His work entitled What a Compulsory Eight Hours Day Means to the Workers was published in 1886 which explored the trials and tribulations of working class people in Britain. After effects of industrialization and the evilness of capitalism became the major theme in Mann’s disputes. He believed that the ultimate purpose of trade unionism was the abolition of capitalism. As an active member of Fabien society Tom Mann could not ignore social disorders and he had participated social and labour issues. Joseph L. White rightly comments that; “What is more, Mann could not have been unaware of the problem, seeing as it was central to the controversies of British socialists in the 1880s.” Analyzing the biography of Tom Mann one can comprehend the idea that the London Dock Strike of 1889 contributes organizational experience and leadership in Tom Mann’s career. His earlier experience as a menial staff helped him to gain the sufferings and adversities of working class. The online article entitled Tom Mann rightly explains the role of Tom Mann in the London Dock Strike. It makes clear when writing thus, “A leading advocate of the eight-hour day, Mann also played a key role during the London Dock Strike of 1889” (Tom Mann, n. d.). Tom Mann is a one of the remarkable and power full leader in the London dock strike and he was responsible for organizing relief for the strikers. The English people, unions and other organizations fully supported this strike and as a result of this they could attain a hilarious success in the end. After the strike Mann was elected the president of newly formed Dock and it also resulted to elect to the London Trades and Labour Council. The theories and principles that explored in the Communist Manifesto had strongly influenced Mann’s personal and professional life. As a result of deep reading and the meetings with the leaders of trade unions, he changed entirely as a true follower of communist ideology. Tom Mann had argued that organizing relief for the strikers was his responsibility and he did it carefully. His policy of co-operative model of economic organization attracted worldwide attention. The most important event in Tom’s public life was the formation of International Transport Workers’ Federation and he was elected as the leader of this federation. His political view and organizational principles have often questioned the conventional trade unionism and that was entirely different from other politicians and trade unionists. The online article entitled Biography of Thomas Mann (1875-1955) explains, “At the beginning of World War I, Mann conservatively believed in monarchy and German hegemony, but towards the end he was more inclined to side with France and the ideals of democracy” (Biography of Thomas, 2010). This movement had provided a new status for Tom Mann in social and political fields of Britain. Here one can see the initial signs of the birth of a challenging authority in Britain. Tom Mann had acquired the status of an eminent prose writer and speaker of twentieth century Germany and his writings have explored the necessity of the empowerment of employees. Mann portrayed the trials and tribulations of working class people and one can easily find that his works endowed a clear picture of the life of poor and working class in the 18th and 19th century England. He had earned a prominent place in the mind of the working class people through his prose works and short stories. The short story entitled Tod in Venedig illustrates his life’s experience as a trade unionist. Tom Mann was convicted because of publishing an article entitled The Syndicalism and caused great public pressure in Britain. During the time of First World War, Tom Mann opposed the movement of Germany and other nations. He severely criticized the aim of the War by remarking that the authority’s ideologies were against democracy. During the time of World War and Russian revolution, Mann proved as a great organizer and campaigner. He became one of the leading figures in the process of the establishment of the Communist Party in Great Britain. Through trade unionism and co-operation Mann tried to execute a perfect system of Parliamentary democracy. He was an initiator, a catalyst, a goad to action (Mann & Coates, 2008). He challenged church to come down for the service of humanity. During his speeches he severely criticised the church and condemned it for not grappling with the social problem. Mann was ever ready to discuss social problems that he organized meetings in the houses of those who are much interested in it. Organisational experience in New Zealand and Australia shaped Tom Mann as a professional trade unionist. After his marriage and unexpected downfall of his Workers’ Union to convene his great expectations, as an active trade unionist Mann navigated to New Zealand and performed his active participation in the process of the formation of New Zealand Socialist Party. His organizational journeys have often demonstrated his skills of organization and speaking. Historians have noticed that the implementation of the principles of parliamentary democracy in Victorian Socialist party Mann had proved his leadership quality in organization. The greatness of Mann’s leadership was his awareness about the social, political and organizational problems in Britain where a majority have followed the principles of capitalism. Tom Mann had fought and conquered the evils of labour exploitation, blood suck and oppress. A reader can easily find that through the twelve or fifteen years continuous flight Tom Mann and his followers have succeeded in establishing a desired social condition which ensures equal right and equal freedom for all. Mann’s expectations are based on the formation of a land with a perfect social condition that permits higher and nobler life for all without the barriers of race, money, trade, religion and nationality. The change in working hours in factories and other working fields had contributed immense power and confidence to Mann, The book entitled Tom Manns Memoirs By Tom Mann, Ken Coates rightly comments that; “The reduction of working hours to nine a day ,coupled with the stoppage of overtime, had a very important bearing of my life” (Mann & Coates, 2008). The life of an agricultural labourer in Warwickshire had endowed lot of chances in Mann’s organizational life and one can find that this time Mann had spent most of his time in organizing the farm workers. Trials and tribulations were common in farmer’s life in that time and Man had identified many cases of labour exploitation. Mann’s initial efforts were failed because of the forceful opposition by the land lords. Finally Farmers unity defeated all opposition and the Agricultural Labour’s Union and other trade unions came forward to enhance the status of farm workers. Conclusion To conclude, one can infer that the entire life of Tom Man was dedicated for the well being of the poor workers who have been treated as downtrodden during the 1880s. In order to protect the welfare of ordinary workers he had to challenge the authority especially when authority denied their moral and legal rights. First of all Mann formed different social welfare organisations and established himself a popular leader of his time. Analysing Mann’s career it is understood that he challenged authority for various issues related farmers and ordinary workers. Mann’s first notable encounter with the authority was concerned with the First World War when he strongly opposed Britain’s involvement in war. So as to oppose war, Mann joined the British Socialist Party. Supporting Russian revolution and by suggesting the creation of Soviets in Britain, Mann again proved his unconquerable will. Mann always worked against industrialisation and capitalism. The London Dock Strike of 1889 also has marked Mann’s organisational experience and leadership. Mann questioned the conventional trade unionism with innovative contributions like cooperative model of economic organisation. Mann’s prose writings were also challenging and well commended by the general public. His concerns over the issues of the working class were remarkable that he believed the authority’s ideas were against democracy. He challenged the church to prove their commitment to society by engaging in selfless service. Change in the working hours was also a challenge he rose against the authority. All these incidents clearly indicate that Tom Mann had a significant role in challenging authority in Britain in the period 1881-1941. Works Cited: Biography of Thomas Mann (1875-1955). 2010. 14 May 2010 . Spartacus Educational. 14 May 2010 . Mann Tom & Ken Coates, (2008). Tom Manns Memoirs, Tom Mann, Ken Coates, Spokesman Books Tom Mann. 2006. 14 May 2010 . Tom Mann. 14 May 2010 . White L Joseph, (1991). Tom Mann, Manchester University Press ND, Read More