3.1.8 Response: The Chartists
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3.1.8 Response: Chartism
Reforming Liberalism through Political Action
While the acceptance of classical liberal principle provided greater opportunity for the middle class in Britain, this could not be said for the rest of working class Britain, women as well as immigrant families.
As a result, one response to classical liberalism was the emergence of Chartism, which as a working class movement that emerged in Great Britain during the 1830s. Chartists believed that the individual rights promised by classical liberalism did not benefit enough people.
Chartists sought greater political rights in Britain from 1838-1857. This largely working class group believed that the British parliament, largely controlled by the middle class, had failed to deal with the negative economic and social impacts of the Industrial Revolution.
Their name was derived from a charter, or formal document called The People's Charter, which was published in 1838, and publicized the group's 6 main demands of British Parliament:
Although middle and upper class men in Britain could vote, members of the working class could not. They could not push for political changes that would benefit themselves and their families. in 1839, the Chartists and their supporters presented Parliament with 1.3 million signatures requesting their demands (listed above) be debated in the House of Commons.
Anger mounted as politicians chose to ignore these concerns. Chartist leaders threatened a general strike (collective action) by all workers. Some became radicalized and planned riots. In 1839, in South Wales, a confrontation between marchers and troops led to violence. More than two dozen were killed and another 50 wounded in the battle. Other similar actions across England led to uprisings that were snuffed out by armed soldiers. Many served long prison sentences doing hard labour.
In 1842, Chartists once again attempted to submit 3 million signatures on a petition that once again, was rejected by Parliament. Strikes broke out across England and Scotland as many workers demanded the charter be put into law. The government responded by imprisoning most Chartist leaders. Despite this hard line, chartists continued to protest the lack of political rights.
Bolstered by political revolutions sweeping Europe, Chartists attempted a third petition to parliament in 1848. Leaders organized a mass rally at Kennington Common in London to demonstrate the collective support for these political reforms. Once again, the demands were not accepted or debated by the House of Commons and Chartism faded from the public spotlight.
However, the call for universal suffrage and greater political freedom continued for decades, just in a less organized fashion. In 1867, the Reform Act officially expanded the franchise (vote) to urban working men. In 1872, secret ballot was passed and in 1911 politicians became paid employees with the Parliament Act.
As a result, one response to classical liberalism was the emergence of Chartism, which as a working class movement that emerged in Great Britain during the 1830s. Chartists believed that the individual rights promised by classical liberalism did not benefit enough people.
Chartists sought greater political rights in Britain from 1838-1857. This largely working class group believed that the British parliament, largely controlled by the middle class, had failed to deal with the negative economic and social impacts of the Industrial Revolution.
Their name was derived from a charter, or formal document called The People's Charter, which was published in 1838, and publicized the group's 6 main demands of British Parliament:
- universal suffrage (voting) for all men over age 21
- equal-sized electoral districts (equal representation)
- vote by secret ballot (to avoid peer pressure)
- pay for elected members of parliament (to eliminate wealth as a pre-requisite to serve in government)
- yearly elections (periodic accountability for politicians)
- members of parliament not required to own land (would enfranchise all working class men in urban centres)
Although middle and upper class men in Britain could vote, members of the working class could not. They could not push for political changes that would benefit themselves and their families. in 1839, the Chartists and their supporters presented Parliament with 1.3 million signatures requesting their demands (listed above) be debated in the House of Commons.
Anger mounted as politicians chose to ignore these concerns. Chartist leaders threatened a general strike (collective action) by all workers. Some became radicalized and planned riots. In 1839, in South Wales, a confrontation between marchers and troops led to violence. More than two dozen were killed and another 50 wounded in the battle. Other similar actions across England led to uprisings that were snuffed out by armed soldiers. Many served long prison sentences doing hard labour.
In 1842, Chartists once again attempted to submit 3 million signatures on a petition that once again, was rejected by Parliament. Strikes broke out across England and Scotland as many workers demanded the charter be put into law. The government responded by imprisoning most Chartist leaders. Despite this hard line, chartists continued to protest the lack of political rights.
Photograph of the Great Chartist Meeting on Kennington Common, London in 1848. Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain.
Bolstered by political revolutions sweeping Europe, Chartists attempted a third petition to parliament in 1848. Leaders organized a mass rally at Kennington Common in London to demonstrate the collective support for these political reforms. Once again, the demands were not accepted or debated by the House of Commons and Chartism faded from the public spotlight.
However, the call for universal suffrage and greater political freedom continued for decades, just in a less organized fashion. In 1867, the Reform Act officially expanded the franchise (vote) to urban working men. In 1872, secret ballot was passed and in 1911 politicians became paid employees with the Parliament Act.
Read about the goals of Chartism in "Grassroots Movements" on pages 132-133 of your text Perspectives on Ideology.
As you read, consider the question:
As you read, consider the question:
- To what extent was Chartist resistance to classical liberalism justified?
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Take notes on the following:
- What ideas are presented in response to classical liberalism?
- How did these movements reject classical liberalism?