Chartists Flashcards
In what Year was the people’s charter written
1837
Name the four key (out of 6) members of the London working men’s association where the writers of the people’s charter ?
William Lovett
Francis Place
George Julian Harney
Henry Hetherington
What were the 6 points of the charter ?
- vote for every man over 21 who wasn’t criminal or insane
- Secret ballot
- No property qualification for the MPs
- MPs get wages
- Equal constituencies
- Annual parliamentary elections
Why would the people’s charter appealed to those with economic grievances?
Because it evened out the playing field and mad opportunity available to all. They would be able to have this say in economical issues
Causes of chartism ?
- ten hours movement which raised expectations of the textile workers
- the extension of the new poor law
- the Irish coercion act 1833
- municipal corporations act 1835 extended middle class control
- economic boom of 30-36 broke which caused a resection and depression and bad harvest
- attacks on trade unions 1834 37
Describe the events leading up to and including the first petition ?
In 1837 Thomas Atwood revived the bpu despite being an mp. The bpu decided to campaign for universal suffrage and in august 1838 they endorsed the charter. Activists everywhere also began campaigning for them e.g. fergus o Connor. Over 200,000 people attended each meetings help in Birmingham Leeds and Manchester. Northern star was selling 50,000 copies. In July 1839, parliament rejected the petition 235 votes to 46.
Explain the significance of the northern star newspaper
O’Connor used profits from the northern star to finance the Chartists a great deal. It helped the chartist emerge as a steady sustained national movement. It also helped gain support for the Chartists.
Explain and asses : The National Convention and the Sacred Month
EXPLAIN: the purpose was never clear but it was mainly supposed to debate what the Chartists would do if their petition was denied. Some of the arguments persuaded the middle class members to leave because they were scared. Some suggestions : provoke mass arrests, arm themselves.
ASSESS: when they were actually rejected it was made clear they had no proper or solid plan and everyone discovered
That no plans to strike or protest had been put in place. Also there was insufficient support
Explain and assess the Newport rising
EXPLAIN: in Nov 1839 10,000 marched from towns and villages in South Wales to Newport. Most were miners and iron workers.
ASSESS: it gave the authorities the excuse it needed to sentence people and put more legislation in place. It taught the Chartists the dangers of insurrection.
Who was Fergus O’Connor and what did he do ?
He was a very key leader of the chartist movement. He was often considered the physical force of the movement.
He established the northern star in 1837
He helped transform Chartism into a national movement.
Was found guilty for seditious libel and was in prison for 18 months.
He was a very powerful speaker and was one of the main inspirations for the whole movement.
Who was William Lovett and what did he do?
He was also a very prominent leader of the chartism movement. He founded the Lwma.
He was a leading member of the national convention and was arrested in 1839 after Birmingham riots.
Once he was released from prison he focused more on educational reform and self help.
In prison he proposed a penny tax
He was a very clear moral force of the movement.
Explain and assess the National Charter Association
EXPLAIN: despite many leaders being imprisoned. O’Connor gave his approval Of forming the nca which aimed to provide centralised organisation to the Chartists.
ASSESS: created a sense of unity that kept chartism alive. Over 400 branches and 50,000 members.
What emerged in Nottingham on Nov 1839.
A particularly strong new chartist culture emerged that consisted of religious services and meetings. Being a chartist has a new meaning that involved more than before.
Describe the attempt to unite the suffrage movement
It was an attempt to unite middle class reformers with the Chartists. The first conference went well however O’Connor was opposed to this and the second conference broke up over his insistence.
Explain and asses the events leading up to and including the second petition of the Chartists.
EXPLAIN: the nca had made many improvements that would help chartism achieve its aims and they organised a second petition
ASSESS: it was more organised than the first petition and this got them 3.3 million signatures but once again it was overwhelmingly rejected my the House of Commons 287 to 49 and the national convention again had to back up plan.
