part three: reform and reformers- protest and change Flashcards
corn laws and anti-slavery
what did this group campaign about?
the price of wheat- the impact on the price of bread
when was Britain at war with France?
1803-1815
what was significant about Britain being at war with France?
they had stopped trading with the French
why did the politicians in government not want to start trading with France again?
they were wealthy landowners- they had made money from the high wheat prices and were reluctant to see their prices fall
when did the government pass the Corn Laws?
1815
what did the Corn Laws provide?
the laws were designed to keep the price of wheat high- if the price fell too low, imports of wheat would be stopped
where were there riots?
from Westminster to Dundee- all through the country
who was the Anti-Corn Law League mainly made up of?
middle-class men who felt the restrictions were unfair to the poor and manufacturing middle class
what were two prominent Leaguers?
Richard Cobden John Bright
what were John Bright and Richard Cobden like?
excellent orators- they toured the country, giving speeches and spreading support for the League
what forms of propaganda did the men create?
pamphlets
published articles in sympathetic newspapers
what did the men use in terms of new technology?
they used the railway to travel faster
they spread their pamphlets through the penny post (a cheap post that most people could afford)
what did the men use the penny post for?
they used it to send a pamphlet to every eligible voter in the country and easily obtained nationwide support
what were the Anti Corn Law League’s main arguments?
the laws were unfair to the poor because they increased the price of a basic food
cheap wheat could help to lower living costs
people could spend more money on other foods, such as meat, which would help farmers
people could also spend more money on industrial goods, thus benefiting the manufacturers
countries that could export their wheat to Britain would have the money to invest in industry
the relationship built up trade with these countries could ensure peace in Europe in the coming years
when were the men elected as MP’s?
in 1841 and 1843
who did the men have the support of?
the Prime Minister- Robert Peel
what was Peel a supporter of?
free trade and saw the benefits of repealing the Corn Laws
what was Peel also the leader of?
the Conservative Party- members were mostly wealthy landowners
when was the potato failure in Ireland?
early 1840’s
what was the potato failure in Ireland caused by?
the crop disease blight which had spread across Europe
why was the crop failure a problem for the poor in Ireland?
they relied heavily on potatoes and bread for their diet
where were there also crop failures?
in England and Scotland and reports of suffering started to reach London