Chartism

This section explores the impacts of the Chartist Movement. The Great Reform Act of 1832 failed to address the political disenfranchisement of the working class, leaving many without a voice in Parliament. This frustration gave rise to the Chartist movement, which sought to extend the franchise and address the grievances of the working class. The movement was named after the People’s Charter, a document that outlined the key demands of the Chartists. Despite facing considerable opposition, the Chartist movement gathered massive support across Britain, and while many of their aims were not realised immediately, nearly all of their demands had been met by the early 20th century.

Causes of Chartism

The Chartist movement emerged from a number of social, political, and economic pressures that affected the working class during the early 19th century.

Disenfranchisement by the Great Reform Act

One of the primary causes of Chartism was the fact that the Great Reform Act of 1832 had largely ignored the working class. While it extended the vote to more middle-class men, it did nothing to enfranchise the working-class population, who remained politically powerless. This lack of representation meant that their issues were often sidelined by politicians, who focused on appeasing those who could vote.

The Impact of the Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution, which was transforming Britain’s economy, had a profound effect on the working class:

• Loss of Jobs to Machines: Many traditional jobs were replaced by machinery, which led to widespread unemployment and insecurity among the working population.
• Wage Reductions: With the rise of industrialisation, wages were often lowered as factory owners sought to maximise their profits.
• Poor Living Conditions: The rapid growth of industrial towns led to overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions, with workers often forced to live in cramped, poorly built housing in the heart of factories.

These challenges were compounded by poor harvests in the 1830s, which led to food shortages and rising prices, making life even harder for the working class.

The New Poor Law of 1834

The introduction of the Poor Law of 1834 was another significant cause of unrest. The law stipulated that anyone unable to pay for food or rent should be sent to the workhouse. Conditions in these institutions were so harsh that they became known as "prisons for the poor," further exacerbating the grievances of the working class.

The Role of Political Movements

The London Working Men’s Association was founded by William Lovett in 1836 to campaign for political rights for working men. The Birmingham Political Union (BPU), established in Birmingham, also joined this cause, and the movement gained significant momentum. In 1839, the first national Chartist Convention was held in Birmingham, where the demands of the Chartists were formalised.

The Six Demands of Chartism

The Chartists articulated six main demands through the People’s Charter:

1. Universal Suffrage: Every man over 21 should have the right to vote.
2. Secret Voting: All voting should be conducted in secret to prevent bribery and intimidation.
3. Equal-Sized Constituencies: Constituencies should be of equal size, ensuring fairer representation.
4. Payment of MPs: Members of Parliament should be paid, allowing working-class men to stand for election.
5. Abolition of Property Qualifications for MPs: MPs should not be required to own property in order to stand for election.
6. Annual Elections: Elections should be held every year to make MPs more accountable to their constituents.

The Early Campaigns and Setbacks

The First Chartist Petition

In 1839, the Chartists presented their first petition to Parliament, which gathered over one million signatures. However, the petition was overwhelmingly rejected by Parliament, with only 46 MPs in favour and 245 voting against it. Despite the rejection, the Chartist movement gained significant momentum.

The Debate on Methods of Campaigning

After the failure of the first petition, divisions emerged within the Chartist movement regarding the methods of campaigning. Moderate Chartists, such as William Lovett, believed in continuing the struggle through peaceful means, such as collecting signatures and petitioning Parliament. Feargus O’Connor, a more radical leader, argued that the Chartists should use the strength of their numbers to intimidate the government into making concessions. O'Connor’s calls for more direct action included the Plug Riots of 1842, where workers began sabotaging factory machinery, echoing the actions of the Luddites earlier in the century. O'Connor also called for a general strike and advocated for a republic.

Growing Support and Government Fears

By the early 1840s, Chartism had gained widespread support. Fears of widespread unrest became so intense that Queen Victoria sought refuge on the Isle of Wight due to concerns for her safety. The government’s response to this growing movement was to further suppress it, leading to violent clashes and arrests.

The Third Petition of 1848

In 1847, Britain faced an economic depression that led to rising unemployment and increased support for Chartism. This culminated in the presentation of a third petition to Parliament in 1848. The petition, which Feargus O’Connor claimed contained over five million signatures, was blocked by over 85,000 special constables who prevented Chartist supporters from entering London.

However, the authenticity of the signatures was disputed, with reports suggesting that many were forgeries, including multiple instances of Queen Victoria’s name appearing on the list. This allowed Parliament to dismiss the petition as a political stunt and reject its demands.

Impacts of Chartism

Short-Term Impacts

In the short term, Chartism was largely seen as a failure. None of the demands outlined in the People’s Charter were met, and support for the movement began to wane after the economic recovery of the 1850s. Many of the leaders of the Chartist movement were transported to Australia as a result of their activism, which stripped the movement of both leadership and momentum.

Long-Term Impacts

Despite its apparent failure, Chartism had significant long-term effects:

• Secret Voting: In 1872, voting in Britain became secret, a key demand of the Chartists.
• Equal Constituencies: The introduction of equal-sized constituencies was realised in 1884, with the Representation of the People Act.
• Payment of MPs: MPs began to receive a salary in 1911, making it possible for working-class men to serve in Parliament.
• Universal Male Suffrage: The right to vote was extended to all men in 1918, fulfilling the Chartists’ demand for universal suffrage.
• Annual Elections: The demand for annual elections was never realised.

In addition to these specific achievements, the Chartist movement provided organisational structure and energy for future social and political movements, particularly the rise of trade unions and the cooperative movement, both of which played a crucial role in improving the conditions of the working class throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

Although Chartism did not immediately achieve all of its aims, the movement played a crucial role in the eventual expansion of political rights in Britain, and its influence can still be felt in modern political movements today.