Failure of chartism Flashcards
Factor: Different classes and poor funding
Explained: the Chartists did not all belong to the same class and this meant that many middle-class supporters withdrew their support after Chartism became linked to violence. When the middle-class members left, there was less money to fund the movement and it started to fail.
Factor: Lack of single leadership
Explained:Chartism had two main leaders, Lovett and O’Connor, and they disagreed over Chartist tactics
Factor: Different aims
Explained: the Chartists did not always agree about what they wanted from Parliament. They all supported the Six Points, but some also wanted improved education, sobriety laws and working conditions.
Factor:Poor coordination
Explained:Chartist groups were spread out in small groups all over the country. This made it difficult to successfully coordinate communication and meetings at a national level.
Factor:Economic conditions
Explained: Chartism relied HEAVILY on economic conditions. People were generally only concerned in protesting when they their circumstances were bad.
By the 1840s, economic conditions had improved. Food prices had gone down, because harvests had gone well that year. People didn’t want changes as much, because things were so much better, so this lost support to the Chartists.
Factor: The state’s action
Explained: The state was effective in dealing with the threat posed by the Chartists. It used the newly-built railways well and was careful to avoid creating martyrs by executing leaders convicted of crimes.
Factor: The government’s corporation
Explained: They were seen to be cooperating with the working class.
For example, the repeal of the Corn Law 1846 and the ‘ten hour’ working day.
