Chartism - Explain why people supported Chartism/Explain why Chartism emerged

Question 1

Economic

Answer 1

• Worsening economic conditions after 1837
• Changes in employment and de-skilling = unemployment e.g. hand-loom weavers in late 1830s and 1840s
• Economic decline or slump e.g. old textile industries (Wales, Wiltshire and South Wales) + Coalfields (S.Wales, Yorkshire + North East)
• ‘Knife and Fork’ Question

Question 2

Political

Answer 2

• Impatience with Parliamentary reform e.g. Great Betrayal 1832
• Whig Reforms in 1830s and opposition to them e.g. 1832 Reform Act, 1833 Factory Act and 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act (Class Legislation)
• Growth of, and persecution, of T/Us by Whig Govt e.g. Tolpuddle Martyrs

Question 3

Radical Press

Answer 3

• War of the unstamped + lowering of stamp duty = radical press available to W/C e.g. Northern Star
• Continued communication of radical ideas
• Training of journalists and publishers
• Established local radical networks

Question 4

Radical Tradition

Answer 4

• Experience of protest from Factory Reform and Anti-Poor Law Movements = ‘Building Blocks of Chartism’
• Radicals e.g. Birmingham Political Union, William Cobbett, Thomas Attwood, Francis Place (all veteran radicals)
• London Working Men’s Association
• Chartism was an Umbrella Movement
• People drifted to Chartism after collapse of T/Us e.g. GNCTU

Question 5

Conclusion

Answer 5

• Economic
• Knife and Fork Issue
• Cobbett’s Quote: ‘I defy you to agitate a fellow with a full stomach’