Unit 4: To what extent did Chartist support change in the years 1838-1859? Flashcards
Describe the changes in support of Chartism.
Wide variations in the levels of support of Chartism.
Support at its highest during the agitation for the Charter in 1838-9, when mass meetings and torchlight processions in the North and Midlands attracted large and enthusiastic crowds of supporters.
National support, however, declined during the 1840s, despite the growing number of signatures claimed by the 1842 and 1848 petitions.
The circulation of North Star fluctuated- 1838 at 10,000 during mass agitation, 1839 at 36,000, 1851 struggled to sell 1300.
Describe national support of Chartism.
Strong support in expanding industrial areas such as the Midlands and North.
There were well organised local associations in the textiles districts of Manchester and surrounding towns such as Ashton-under-Lyne and Stockport- strong agitation areas against the Poor Law, good use of organisation developed by the Anti-Poor Law associations to sustain Chartists.
Strong movement in textiles trades eg handloom weavers, whose incomes were threatened by technological change.
Strong support from industrial areas in Scotland, especially after the government’s suppression of the Glasgow weavers’ strike 1837-8.
Limited support in Ireland due to their focus on campaigning against the Union.
Minimal support from agricultural labourers in areas such as Essex and Sussex.
Strong opposition from middle class, land owners, church leaders eg Bishop of Norwich denounced Chartist leaders.
Difficult to gain support in London due to large population although some increase in the 1840s due to economic fluctuations.
Describe women and Chartism.
Provided substantial support to Chartism- a third of signatures during the 1839 petition were women.
Women had important but secondary roles in Chartist Sunday schools (provided literate and numeric education with instruction in democratic ideas, aims of People’s Charter- significant improvement in working class education, especially in Manchester.
Significant impact of women promoting ‘exclusive dealing’- boycotting the shopkeepers who opposed the movement.
Although women never considered for roles in the national movement, there were around 100 female associations.
Few Chartist leaders supported women’s political rights eg R.J. Richardson argued for female suffrage in ‘The Rights of Women’ 1842.
The attitude of most Chartist leaders was that women should not engage in political activities, limited to support husband and family.
Women involvement declined during 1840s, reluctant to attend NCA meetings (predominantly male), women attracted to other organisations eg religions and teetotal groups.
By 1848, women’s adherence became insignificant.
Describe middle class and Chartism.
Chartism had some support from middle class in early years but by 1838, most had left the movement due to their concerns of the increasingly violent and aggressive tone adopted by some leading Chartists.
The strong difference between the economic ideas of middle class free traders and the political ambitions of the working class meant that a programme of joint action between the ACLL and CSU.
Anti-Corn Law League (ACLL) formed in Manchester 1838, claimed the repeal of the Corn Laws would benefit agricultural and industrial interests as it would accommodate the growing trend towards free trade- help boost the economy, would benefit the working class as repeal would lead to lower prices of foodstaffs.
Chartists reluctant as they suggested the reduced prices would lead employers to reduce wages.
Complete Suffrage Union (CSU) formed in 1841 promoting universal male suffrage. Although successful in initially winning some Chartist support, it faced strong opposition from O’Connor and Northern Star.
The opposition from Chartist leaders and little support among the middle class led to its collapse.
Describe trade societies and Chartism.
The Combination Acts 1799 and 1800 banned societies and agreements of workmen seeking to raise wages or reduce hours of work which restricted workers’ ability to organise.
When legal punishment for striking or using collective bargaining to better working conditions was reintroduced in 1825, trade societies and unions ere struggling to meet the demands of their members- therefore by late 1830s, Chartism became an alternative for workers seeking political change- but many unions in the Chartist movement still aimed at improving the economic position of the working class.
The questionnaire by the Chartist Convention 1839 to local associations supporting Chartism highlighted how respondents were more concerned with low wages, lack of work and expensive food rather than the lack of vote.
During 1840s, Chartists involved in the establishment of new unions from localised societies eg Tailors’ Trade Protection Society 1844 bargained for better pay and treatment for tailors.
Despite the failure of the first and second Charter petitions, the Chartists recognised that larger, more centralised organisations would make their voices heard.
Support for the Miners’ Association of Great Britain and Ireland (MAGBI)- dealt with working conditions for miners- unable to extend from the higher ranks of the MAGBI to the membership.
Despite widespread support for Chartism, the Charter was rarely implemented as a solution for ending strikes eg Plug riots 1842.
