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17 Cards in this Set

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Which group started the Chartist Movement? What did they do initially?

The London Working Men's Association, founded in 1836 by William Lovett and Francis Place (and Henry Heatherington later as treasurer). As a group, they held discussion groups and public meetings on reform which were aimed at skilled workers who favoured a moral force approach.

What group was often seen as opposing the LWMA?

The East London Democratic Association, founded in 1837 by George Julian Harney, supported the Charter but favoured a physical force approach to reform and attracted more unskilled workers. In 1838, it was rebranded as the London Democratic Association.

When was the Charter written and who wrote it?

1837. It was written by the LWMA (primarily Lovett) and six radical MPs.

What were the 6 points of the Charter?

1. Manhood suffrage


2. Secret ballot


3. No property qualification for MPs


4. Salaries for MPs


5. Equal constituencies


6. Annual parliaments

What were the causes of Chartism?

Disappointment with the Great Reform Act: the Act was seen by many to still exclude a lot of people from voting, making it a disappointment for many working class people, who wanted more reform. It also let to distrust and resentment for a lot of the Whig government's policies.



The Poor Law Amendment Act 1834: created workhouses as an alternative to old outdoor relief. Many working class people felt that this was the government providing the middle class with cheap labour, looking out for their interests now they could vote but ignoring the best interests of the working classes. It was believed that the Charter would end this kind of political exclusion.



The economic depression from 1837-42: the trade depression at the time led to rises in unemployment and cuts in wages, as well as sharp hikes in the price of bread. Chartism offered hope in a desperate situation, especially for people like craftsmen and outworkers.

What was the Chartist Movement's primary publication?

The Northern Star, an unstamped newspaper established in Leeds in November 1837 that was edited by Feargus O'Connor. At its peak in 1839, it was selling around 36000 copies a week.

What was the main form of Chartist activity at the beginning of the Movement?

Chartist meetings that varied from small indoor gatherings to great public rallies.

When was the first national gathering of Chartists? What happened?

August 1838; at a big meeting of all the Chartist groups in Birmingham. They agreed the points of the People's Charter and also agreed to collect signatures on a National Petition to present to Parliament, with a general strike called the sacred month to follow if the petition was rejected. A Chartist Convention would meet to prepare the petition with delegates from all the associations.

When was the first meeting of the Chartist Convention? What was planned for it? How did it go?

They first met in London in February 1839. Moderate members, hoping not to antagonise the authorities, intended to restrict the meeting to organising the Petition and to sending 'missionaries' out to promote the Chartist platform. However, the more radical members saw the Convention as a rival "People's Parliament" and used it to plan ulterior measures in the event of rejection of the petition.



Lovett and the moral force Chartists walked out of the convention due to the discussion on ulterior measures and the remaining delegates moved to Convention to Birmingham where they meet again in May to agree their ulterior measures.

What happened after the Chartist Convention adjourned?

Mass meetings and demonstrations became violent and moral force Chartists began to question the ideas of their physical force colleagues. In July, rioting worsened and the Convention condemned the actions of the authorities which led to Lovett's arrest.

How many signatures were on the First Petition? When was it presented to Parliament? What happened?

It was three miles long and had 1,280,000 signatures. It was presented in July 1839, supported by MPs John Fielden and Thomas Attwood. Benjamin Disraeli was also among those who spoke in favour of the petition.



However, it was rejected 235 to 46.

How did the Chartist organisations react to the rejection?

While many ulterior measures were planned, like runs on the banks and not paying rent, only the sacred month was approved by the Convention, and even then, many opposed it as impractical during a recession. Even Feargus O'Connor opposed it.



The sacred month was cancelled in August and the Convention dissolved itself in September.

How did the government insure against a Chartist rebellion?

It had seemed possible that a Chartist revolt could begin in the North, where opposition to the New Poor Laws was greatest, and there were rumours of Chartists among themselves.



In response, in April 1839, General Napier was sent to the North with 6000 troops to enforce law and order.

What was an example of physical force Chartism after the rejection of the First Petition?

The Newport Rising, November 1839. 7000 coalminers and iron workers under the leadership of Chartist former Mayor John Frost tried to march on the Westgate Hotel in Newport to free a group of Chartists. However, the authrities were ready for them and effectively held them off, killing 20 civilians and arresting Frost (he would later be transported).



The Rising was a total failure and showed the power of the state and the flaws of physical force Chartism.

Why was there no Chartist uprising by 1840?

Though in the months leading up to and those following the Newport Rising there were many moves within the Movement to rise against the system, issues organising such rebellion as well as swift repression by the authorities, meant that nothing materialised.

What action did the government take to repress Chartism?

Between June 1839 and July 1840, 500+ Chartist were arrested.

What was the state of the Chartist Movement by 1840?

Prospects looked poor, the government had effectively suppressed the Movement's actions and refused to respond to their demands and many leaders, including Lovett and O'Connor were in prison.