Anti-Corn Law League - The consequences of the Anti-Corn Law League/Explain why the ACLL had such an impact

Question 1

Economic

Answer 1

• Removed last significant example of agricultural protectionism
• The repeal of the Corn Laws ushered in an era where Free Trade would become the dominant way of thinking of the main political parties
• Repeal helped to reduce the cost of some essential items e.g. bread

Question 2

Social

Answer 2

• Events in Ireland (Irish Famine) and Peel’s own conversion to repeal were far more important
• Repeal did little to help with the Irish Potato Famine
• The ACLL and Repeal of the Corn Laws demonstrated the growing influence of the industrial M/C in society and politics

Question 3

Political

Answer 3

• ACLL achieved their aims
• Although the ACLL did play a major role in placing the issue of repeal at the forefront of the political agenda, it cannot take all of the credit for repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846
• The Conservative Party split over the issue of repeal - Peel and his supporters (the Peelites) left the Conservative Party
• Led to Peel’s resignation as PM
• Those who remained in the Conservative Party would defend protectionism until the mid-1850s
• The Conservative Party lost power in 1846 and would not gain a majority Government until 1874