Chartism

Page 1

Why did Chartism emerge as a political force?

What did the People's Charter of 1838 demand?

- Universal manhood suffrage

- no property qualification for voting/becoming MP

- annual elections: increases accountability

- equally-sized constituencies: benefiting northern cities

- payment for becoming MPs (£500 salary)

- secret ballot

Who, when and where was the Charter drawn up?

- William Lovett

- May 1839

- London Working Men's Association, Parliament

Page 2

Supporters of Chartism

Make a bullet point of evidence you can find to show than Chartism won a large and popular movement which attracted support from across the UK.

- In Glasgow, 159,000 people in the crowd when Charter was launched

- 1.2 million signatures on the petition

- 40,000 readers of the Northern Star newspaper in 1839

1.5 million people signed a petition to release the leaders of the Newport Rising

- National Charter Association: non-violent: 400 branches and 50,000 subscription members in 1842

What was the Newport Rising 1839?

- After the first Chartist petition was rejected

- Around 8000 attacked the Westgate Hotel (Chartist leaders were being held under protests)

- 24 killed, 50 wounded, 500 arrested

- John Frost led this uprising and was sentenced to death

- In January 1840, Harney, Lovett and O'Connor were arrested and imprisoned

How successful was the 2nd Chartist petition in 1842?

- signed by 3.3 million

- following rejection, there were many protests affecting 23 counties

How successful was the 3rd Chartist petition in 1848?

- 'signed' by 5 million: only 2 million were considered valid

- staged 7600 troops in the city with heavy artillery

Why was the period 1830-1850 considered one of the most turbulent in British history?

- unprecedented scale of disturbance which lasted a long time

- rise in trade union activity

- rise in Chartism

- unrest in Ireland

- ACLL pressure and protests

- politically disturbed period

Page 3

Long-term Causes of Chartism

Rapid Population Growth and Economic Change

How did employment and industry change between 1801 and 1851?

Urban population went from 20% to 50%

Growth of industries e.g. coal mining and textiles overtook that of small workshops

- Handloom weavers 200,000 to 10,000

- Textile factory workers 100,000 to 300,000

Who were the 'winners' and 'losers' in society by the industrial revolution? Why?

Winners: skilled workers, Chartists

Losers: unskilled labourers, domestic workers (1), factory workers (2)

(1) competition from factories, falling prices, trade fluctuations

(2) harsh conditions, low wages, trade fluctuations, rising bread prices

Urbanisation/Urban Growth

Explain the many reasons why cities were breeding grounds for discontent and the potential roots of Chartist.

Working people in cities were more prepared to challenge authority away from traditional deference

Circulation of newspapers

Influence of Europe e.g. the French Revolution and influence

Emigration of the Irish

Page 4

Short-Term Causes of Chartism

Campaign for parliamentary reform

Why was the Reform movement partly responsible for Chartism?

The working man was disappointed with the results of the Great Reform Act, so the political unions remained active to demand political change. These grievances were increasing and were used to form groups to put pressure on the government. This enthusiasm of small numbers of activists was a major factor in the development of Chartism.

Frustration towards government.

What action and inaction by governments between 1830-50 caused resentment within the lower classes?

Ten Hour Movement: Peel resigned in 1846

Tolpuddle Martyrs: continued a stream of petitions and protests: repealed in 1836by Russell

New Poor Law: Whigs did not pay attention to effect on the poor people

Page 5

Why did support for Chartism vary?

Outline the main ways support for Chartism varied.

- strength changed at different times

- strength changed in different areas

- strength changed in classes

- strength changed on aims of Chartism

Why Chartism was described as a “loose alliance”?

It covered different sorts of discontents and disunited leaders to achieve their ends or beyond them.

How did Chartism develop 1835-39?

At climax of 1839, a giant petition submitted and the National Convention. This petition was rejected, leading to the 'National Holidays', a wave of strikes and widespread arrests.

Why was July 1840 a significant moment in the development of Chartism?

Formation of the National Charter Association, which rejected violence and focused on getting working-class MPs and local councillors elected. This gathered 50,000 members in total.

Why did Chartism turn to direct and violent action again in 1842? What happened?

There was increasing hardship, unemployment and high bread prices. A very large petition was presented and rejected, which caused a wave of strikes affecting 23 counties. The most famous one of this was the 'Plug Plot' disturbances, where workers removed the plugs from factory boilers to stop steam-powered production. Little was achieved from this, and the NCA lost its impetus.

Why did support for Chartism decline from 1843 onwards?

Authorities had large numbers of resources. For example, troop movement was improved by railway networks. The current groups e.g. NCA were unsuccessful due to these reasons.

Explain why the leadership of the Chartists were divided.

Most prominent Chartists considered Feargus O'Connor as impractical and grandiose. The perfect example of this was when he established a 'Chartist Co-operative Land Company' in 1845 which aimed to buy land and then redistribute it for industrial workers.

Describe the events of 1847-8 and the final stand of Chartism’.

1847: further economic downturn

10 April 1848: Mass meeting on Kennington Common in London: Victoria and Albert advised to leave. This mass meeting was actually dispersed peacefully.

Summer 1848: Provincial demonstrations often occurred

Page 6

How effective was the leadership and methods of Chartism?

Why were the aims of Chartism considered difficult and unrealistic?

Make a mind map on the 5 key reasons why the Chartist aims were so difficult to achieve, and what they did successfully achieve.

See attached/below

List the many weaknesses and setbacks Chartism faced.

- military strength of the state

- Government and MPs ignored petitions

- forcible reaction to strikes and revolts

- no union of rural and urban discontent

- Chartism movement split in 1840 e.g. 'temperance Chartists' (drinking restrictions), 'education Chartists' (more schooling), 'municipal Chartists' (urban improvement)

Achievements of Chartism

How effective was Chartist Leadership?

Make a mind map of the prominent Chartist leaders.

See attached/below

Prominent Chartist Leaders

Explain why Feargus O’Connor is often cited blamed for the Chartist failure.

- landed inheritance

- called for an end to Act of Union

- founder of The Northern Star

- support for 'physical force': division with 'moral force' e.g. Lovett

- seen as dangerous and divisive

- Malcolm Chase has pointed to the positive impact of his vitality and energy

Who was William Lovett and how did he differ to O’Connor?

- a craftsman who was put out of business by industrial developments

- founder of the London Working Men's Association

- author of the People's Charter

- against physical force, advocated moderation and stressed education: different from O'Connor

Explain the division in Chartism between “physical force and moral force”.

- division between those who called for violence and those who wanted reform through peaceful measures

Explain two ways in which Chartist tactics and strategy was short-sighted and even counterproductive.

- no real contingency planning for petitions being rejected: violent and uncoordinated outbreaks: rejected middle-class support and encouraged government's use of force

- National Charter Association was not supported: aimed to establish a working-class party: Joseph Sturge failed election in 1842 and 1844

Explain why the Anti-Corn Law League seemed to succeed whereas Chartism failed.

- ACLL had unity of purpose and close relationships between leaders

- ACLL's aims were more feasible: support of PM, an extension of current policies, political base in parliament, could control radical members

Page 7

How far did government action and attitude towards Chartism lead to its failure?

Which governments had to deal with Chartism?

- Whig: Melbourne + Russell

- Tory: Peel + Graham

- Whig: Russell + Grey

What consideration was given to further reform by these governments? What strategies did they use against Chartism?

- There was no consideration, they wanted to maintain order and use force when necessary

- stationed troops in key areas

- recruited special constables

- used spies and informers

- arrested and tried leaders

Use of Force

How effective was the military action against Chartism in the north?

- very effective

- led by General Sir Charles Napier: humane sympathy for workers and Chartists

- 6000 troops in five key northern towns

- made clear extent to which he would go to e.g. artillery demonstration in Manchester

- was willing to compromise and this violence was last resort

Why was Napier willing to meet Chartist leaders?

- serious fighting may lead to Chartist militants killing small detachments of soldiers, which would lead to retaliation and therefore 'rivers of blood': this was a last resort

- Armed violence in Newport and Rebecca Riots: appropriate reaction

Recruitment

What were “special constables” and how successful was this policy?

Spies and Informers

Describe the use of spies and informers.

Arrest and trials of leaders

How did the government deal with the Chartist leadership and supporters?

How successful was government repression?

Publicity

What type of publicity did the government try to orchestrate?

Page 8

What impact did Chartism have on Britain 1838-48?

Explain the economic argument for the failure of Chartism (182)

In what way did Chartist ideas make a significant impact? (183)

How did Chartism develop and strengthen the working-class sense of identity? (183)

How did Chartism help to expose economic inequality? (183)

Why might Chartism be considered partially successful? (long term) (183)