9. Chartism Flashcards
What were the six demands published on the People’s charter in 1838?
A vote for all men over 21 A secret ballot Equal electoral districts No property qualification to be an MP Payment for MPs Annual parliaments
When was chartism at its strongest?
When economic conditions were worse and unemployment was rising
Who were raising the issue of reform in parliament?
A few sympathetic MPs
What was held throughout the countries?
Mass meetings and demonstrations
What meeting happened in May 1838?
A meeting in Glasgow where over 150,000 people attended
What meetings did Chartists hijack?
Anti-Corn Law meetings
What was “The Northern Star” ?
Most famous chartist newspaper by Feargus O’Conner
How were these newspapers distributed?
Sold cheaply and spread widely and was read aloud to people who couldn’t afford them
What was the Chartists main weapon?
Petitioning parliament
What dates did Chartists create huge petitions and present them to parliament ?
1839
1842
1848
All rejected by parliament
How many signatures did the 1848 petition gain?
5 million -although some were forgeries
Did chartism fail?
Yes.
What did Supporters like Thomas Attwood and Birmingham Political Union believe?
Had moderate aims and thought they could achieve them through persuasion
How were others more extreme?
Some made pikes and other weapons and waited for a violent uprising
What happened at Newport, 1839?
20 Chartists were shot as 5,000 marchers tried to free chartist prisoners
