CHARTISM

Question 1

When were the Chartists formed?

Answer 1

London 1838

Question 2

In basic terms what were the Chartists?

Answer 2

A group of radical reformers wanting to achieve further constitutional change after the Great Reform Act of 1832

Question 3

What groups did Chartism emerge from?

Answer 3

• London Working Men’s Association - LWMA
• a group of 6 radical MPs who supported reform
• other reformist groups who campaigned for a free unstamped press

Question 4

Was Chartism a new movement

Answer 4

No

Question 5

Why wasn’t Chartism a new movement?

Answer 5

It was a culmination of 40 years of campaigning.
It was heavily influenced by traditions of:
- London Corresponding Society
- Hampden clubs
- Catholic Association
- Birmingham Political Union

Question 6

What was the nature of Chartist aims?

Answer 6

Political - they believed constitutional reform was at the heart of fixing working class problems

Question 7

Where can you find the aims of the chartists?

Answer 7

The People’s Charter

Question 8

What were the six points of the People’s Charter

Answer 8

• universal suffrage for all ‘sound-minded’, non criminal men
• secret ballots in elections
• abolition of property qualifications for MPs
• salaries for MPs
• equally sized constituencies
• annual parliamentary elections

Question 9

WHY did the Chartist movement appear? (4)

Answer 9

• working class disillusionment with 1832 Great Reform Act
• failure of parties to address further reform
• Impact of 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act
• Poor working and living conditions

Question 10

Why did working class disillusionment with the GRA 1832 influence the emergence of the Chartist movement?

Answer 10

• GRA extended franchise to ONLY middle class
• this was deliberate from the Whigs to maintain existing social order
• whigs also believed working class could not be relied on with political power

This was disappointment - political motivation

Question 11

How did Failure of parties to address future reform influence the emergence of Chartism

Answer 11

• both whigs and tories adamant GRA was unique
• no more expansion of the franchise or other type of reform
• BUT working class supported protests for GRA forcing William IV/HOL to pass the GRA
• party refusal to consider new reform forced working class to attack with extra parliamentary reform

(Political)

Question 12

How did implementation of 1834 Poor Law Ammendment Act influence the emergence of Chartism?

Answer 12

• the PLAA introduced WORK HOUSES to provide means for the unemployed
• WORKHOUSES implemented in the agricultural south without protest
• in NORTH a lot of opposition occurs due to industrial conditions
• the law is unpopular and seen to be taking advantage of the WC

Question 13

How did poor working conditions and loving conditions influence the rise of Chartism?

Answer 13

• 1833 Factory act favoured factory owners
• it did not implement a 10 hr working day => unregulated working weeks
• working conditions terrible - no windows open, hot, dangerous, chemicals
• trade depression of 1837-42 compounded issue
• living conditions especially low in cities

Question 14

When was FACTORY ACT PASSED?

Answer 14

1833

Question 15

When was POOR LAW AMMENDMENT ACT enforced?

Answer 15

1834

Implemented in 1836 in the NORTH

Question 16

Why can it be argued the chartists were a mainly economic movement?

Answer 16

They were motivated by mainly economic issues:
- PLAA / Factory Act/ bad conditions

BUT support also swelled in times of economic hardship

Question 17

Why can it be argued the chartists were a mainly POLITICAL movement?

Answer 17

• aims of movement were all political in nature (see the People’s Charter)
• Chartists saw POLITICAL reform to be the core solution to issues, including economic
• leaders of Chartism were politically motivated/minded individuals