Chartism 1838-1851

Chartism 1838-1851

1. Was Chartism a failure? Why where 6 points not achieved?

   • Municipal Cooperations Act 1835
   • Power of the state & experience of the state
   • Policy of arres†ing chartists
   • Professional Police Force
   • Railway ne†work 1830s
   • Governemetnt legislation

2. Governement legislation in 1840s improved living & working conditions, 1846 corn laws were repealed and 1847 the ten hour working day introduced to make society better.

   • 1848- First public health act was installed.
     • 1844- Peels bank charter stabilised the economy
       • By 1850 worst excesses of deprivation and depression were over

3. How much change did Chartism Undergo?

   • The Working classes were unhappy because: they were betrayed by actions of the new parliament and demonstrated even more. A sequence of events led to the emergence of a new rational political campaign CHARTISM
     • The Factory Act 1833
       • Huge disappointment to reformers who had campained for the 10hr day. All they got was a reduction on children working hours.
     • Attack on Trade Unions
       • Trade unions had been legalised. Between 1833-1835 were able to bargain better for pay and working conditions. Worried the government as there were large, general unions that united workers from many different trades.
     • The GNCTU: This was launched in order to become a national organisation of workers.. However, it was badly organised. The 'CRIMINALS' were sentenced to 7 years hard labour in Australia." TOLLPUDDLE MARTYRS they were to show a warning.
     • Municipal Cooperations Act
       • This extended the vote in local town electors to rate payers. To be a rate payer you had to own property , which the working classes did not so they were being shot out again. The towns became to establish police as they saw the working classes as threatening.
     • War of the Unstamped Press
       • The 'gagging acts' of 1819 all the newspapers had to pay a stamp duty. In order to amke radical papers to expensive for working class leadership. 'Poor Mans guardians' did not obey and saw people imprisoned, however it was still printed in secret locations. 750 sellers put on trial.