Chartism

Question 1

Arguments for Political Reform

Answer 1

• U/C - Feared that without reform there would be a revolutions
• M/C - They wanted representation for the new manufacturing and trade interests.
• W/C - Want reform in hopes it would bettie address their concerns and problems

Question 2

Results of the great reform act

Answer 2

• Working class were angry that the middle class had received the vote and they had not.
• North Under represented
• No working class MP’s

Question 3

Factory Act

Answer 3

• 1833
• 10 hour movement - launched to limit the length of working day in factories and mines to ten hours
• Disappointment only reduced working hours for children

Question 4

Municipal corporations 1835

Answer 4

• Vote extended for local town councils to all ratepayers
• had to own property
• Excluded the W/C

Question 5

anti poor law campaign

Answer 5

• 1837
• New poor law wanted to cut poor relief
• New clubs were set up around the country to contrast the poor law
• A repeal campaign was voted against in parliament 309-17

Question 6

Chartist Demands

Answer 6

• A vote for every man 21 years of age
• Secret Ballot
• No property qualification
• Paid MP’s
• Equal constituencies
• Annual elections

Question 7

London Working Mens Association

Answer 7

• 1837 - 6 members of LWMA and 6 radical MP’s drew up the peoples charter in London 1838

Question 8

Northern Star

Answer 8

• Feargus O’Connor
• Fromer Irish MP
• 1937 established
• Based in Yorkshire the heart of the Reform

Question 9

William Lovett vs Fergus O Connor

Answer 9

• Lovett - non radical peaceful protest
• O Connor thought violence was the way

Question 10

Newport Rising

Answer 10

• 1839
• 10,000 men marched from towns to villages south Wales
• Most of them labourers
• Surrounded the WestGate Hotel where local chartists leaders were being held under armed guard
• Small force of troops who started firing which may or may not have been in response to initial chartist shots
• 500 chartists were imprisoned 2 weeks after

Question 11

1st petition rejected

Answer 11

• July 1839
• 1 million signature

Question 12

Establishment go the NCA

Answer 12

• National Charter Association
• Set up in 1840
• 1842 50,000 members
• 400 Branches
• Central organisation for the chartists

Question 13

Second Petition

Answer 13

• 1842
• O’connor gathered signatures
• 3 million signatures
• Helped by economic depression and rising unemployment
• Rejected by a huge majority

Question 14

Plug Strikes Riot

Answer 14

• Aug 1842
• Strikes in Lancashire/Yorkshire/midlands/Scotland
• Went from factory to factory to get support
• 6000 troops were deployed in the North lead by General Napier
• Many violent confrontations
• Police forces were used effectively
• 1500 put on trial

Question 15

Land Plan

Answer 15

• O Connor
• Established small communities for chartists in rural areas
• 100,000 in 5 communities
• Homes, Schools and Parks built

Question 16

Reasons for Failure

Answer 16

• Divisions in leadership
• Limited Allies lack of support from MP’s
• Violence alienated followers
• Power of the star
• Railway helped get troops get across