Swing

Swing, a cognomen assumed by senders of threatening letters during the period when the irritation of the agricultural labourers of England against their employers was at its height, namely from 1830 to 1833. The cause of this misunderstanding arose from a wide-spread belief on the part of the labourers that the use of machinery would greatly lessen the demand for labour, and consequently produce a general reduction of wages; it was also intensified by the savage severity with which the game-laws were enforced, and by other hardships to which the labouring classes in the country considered themselves unjustly subjected. As disregard by landlords or farmers of the demands contained in these threatening letters was constantly followed by the burning of stacks and farm-buildings, the employers of labour became so terrified that in very many cases almost implicit obedience was paid to the dictates of 'Captain Swing.'