The RISE AND FAILURE of Chartist Movement in Great Britain (1838-1854). - by - ******* ********* (*********) “Chartism was a snowball movement which gather together local grievances and sought to give them a common ex- pression in a nation-wide agitation.” (From “Chartist Studies”, by A.Briggs) This paper studies the causes for the rise and failure of Chartism, which was a British popular and political movement, controlled by working class people, whose aim was to achieve parliamentary democracy as a first step towards social and economic reforms, that took the name of “People’s Charter” and resulted from disappointment in the Reform Act of 1832, common disapproval of the harsh enforcement of the unpopular “Poor Law” of 1834, numerous quarrels and growing disagreements between the workers and their employers and general frustration during worst depression of the nineteenth century that took place between 1837 and 1843, and it is commonly seen not as a simple Union’s movement against the employers or the government, but as a Revolt against the contemporary values and lifestyle. The famous “People’s Charter” was a name given to a bill containing six points - equal electoral area, universal suffrage, payments to all Members of Parliament, abolition of property qualifications for all M.P.s, annual general elections (to be held on June 24th of each year) to Parliament (i.e. annual Parliaments ) and vote by secret ballot for all the electors. Although the “Charter” or the national petition itself was first collected into one petition by William Levitt and presented during the Convention of London’s Working Men Association on February 18th, 1837, the roots of these demands lay deep in the history of British political Radicalism , in opposition of the Working Class people to the different legislation overshadowing or restraining the rights or liberties of workers , and, finally, in great disappointment of majority of British Reformers in Reform Act of 1832, which enfranchised only the Middle Class, and not the Working and Lowers Classes. For radicals like Lovett, who sought a Socio-Economic Utopia by Political means the legislation of these minor reforms was, obviously, far from enough, and in years following 1832 the number of prohibited Unions, Revolutionary Associations and similar organizations grew immensely, galvanizing even further the British society of the times. The final goal of Chartists’ demands can be considered to be mostly economic , but the causes of the Chartism are extremely complex, and can be divided into Economic and Social/Political ones, although both were far from being independent of each other: the economic problems of Britain conjugated with the political ones, and vise versa. They included, among the numerous other things, low, and in many cases extremely low, wages, high unemployment and unaffordable prices. Here, it is important to remember that the majority of the supporters of the Charter were part of the vast and underpaid class of low-skilled factory workers, espe- cially colliers and handloom workers in the Midlands and in the North, who were passing through a period of an extreme poverty, misery and degradation. The worst financial depression of 19th century , that started simultaneously with the rise of the Chartism, aggravated the situation even further, since the number of unemployed workers, and thus the supporters of the Charter, that seemed to promise a financial relief, grew dramatically. The lack of affection of working class people towards the newly introduced factory discipline, discontent with the exploitation of women and children in the factories and extreme distress of traditional hand-workers in face of competition from the new industrial machinery became obvious in these years. The highly disliked Poor-Law, issued in 1834, worsened the situation of the unemployed workers - they could no longer receive welfare from the government, and were forced into the workhouses. The further galvanization of 19th century British society and in distribution of the wealth among the classes, also seem to contribute to the growth of tensions between the different classes and to the rise of new radical and revolutionary movements. Another reason for general discontent can be found in the poor and depressed contemporary conditions of the domestic markets - the Corn Laws of 1815 artificially held high prices for food, foreign markets were also undercut, thus reducing the output of the British factories even further. The number of bad harvests in 1830s caused the prices to go up, and the taxation was extremely high, when the real value of people’s wages was record low. The available internal markets and the export markets were unable to consume the potential of the British Industries, and the contrast between the potential of the industries and the condition of the workers was at its highest. The political and social troubles of the times had a great impact on the birth of Chartism as well. The famous Reform Act of 1832 gave an impression of the end of reforms , and the working class, which wasn’t enfranchised by that act grew more and more hostile towards both Whigs and Tory, who could not promise a prospect for future changes and reforms, especially the achievement of universal suffrage and other rights promised by the Charter, so desired by the working class. Since England lacked a legitimate political body that the radicals or reformers could support, a new political movement that could promise at least the possibility of future legislation concerning the subject, would be extremely popular among the middle and working classes - this movement was, of cause, Chartism, and a handful of other, less successful radical organizations . It is obvious that the “official” streams of politics started to become more and more unpopular among lower and middle classes - the Poor Law, issued in 1834, that aimed at cutting poor rates and treated poverty as crime, was one of the most disliked law ever issued in England, and no official attempts to abolish the hated Corn-Law were made. In addition to that, the Whigs, that were in power between 1830 and 1841 were obviously weak in economic strategy (most of Whigs’ legislation and reforms were more of the institutional, rather than social or economic kinds), and could not prevent or successfully deal with the financial crisis of 1837; They also weakened the pound, made no attempt to reform the banking or the currency, and, later, left a huge deficit on leaving office The distrust in the government’s ability to improve the conditions of the economy and of British subjects grew considerably during the 1830s, and was undoubtedly a direct consequence of the combined problems and crisis of the times, and one of the causes of Chartism’s popularity . People were dissatisfied with the ways of the contemporary government, and many of their radical leaders, who were much more politically aware, believed that economic exploitation and political subservience could be righted by parliamentary means, and sought ways to enter mainstream politics and, than, government . Another view, explaining the popularity of Chartism, can be taken - the time of Chartists was a time of change, both social and economic, and, as the actions and demands of Luddites only a number of decades before, it was a desperate action - a cry for help and demand of changes ; a stand against an unjust society that ignored the demands of the working men, and was unwilling to change its’ ways of economic exploitation and social inequality. Chartism was a product of industrialization , of new radical thought and old revolutionary tradition; it represented the shift of society from old conservative to new industrial values, and can be seen as a point of intersection between the old and new views of life, which was met with common confusion, distrust and, finally, with popular dissatisfaction in old ways of government of the radically new society. With this background, Chartism attracted the support, or at least the sympathy, of everyone with a sense of grievance of any kind. However, the diversity, its’ working class origin and apparent national unity that made this movement so popular, were the major factors that brought it to its’ end. The generalizing term “Chartism” imposes a certain impression of unity and centralization, and indeed - Chartism was the first movement to unite all types of working class men, but the term “working class” covered all types of working men and women - from artisans to industrial workers, among whom certain fractions had different, and sometimes even opposite goals . The central authority, in face of Lovett, and later of O’Connor, was weak, and had little influence over different fractions of Chartists. Many other, regional, leaders appeared, but they lacked the unity as well . In short time many moderate leaders abandoned the movement, and the leadership passed to radicals like O’Connor, who saw the solution to Chartists’ struggle in violent uprising; the violent moods perpetuated the movement and attacked more moderate men, the conflict between the leaders grew even more and the unity disappeared at all - the Chartism tore itself apart and lost the remnants of its’ credibility. The movement’s practiced way of struggle was a subject of much controversy - most planned strikes and explosions of unrest can be considered failures, although some demands of the workers were answered. All three petitions to parliament, demanding reforms, failed; the movement failed to achieve parliamentary support for the Charter; the famous “Land Plan”, so propagated by Faergus O’Connor, failed; the few minor insurrections and strikes were obviously unsuccessful, and many leaders of the movement were arrested on several occasions… As a direct consequence the movement’s multiple failures, the Chartism grew more and more drastic, becoming too radical for most of its’ supporters. The people grew more and more dissatisfied with Chartism, and sought alternative ways of achieving their goals. By 1854 the movement can be considered as extinct. However, the folly of Chartism’s leaders was not the only reason for this movement’s decline - the comfort of the working class increased gradually after the repeal of the Corn Law and the enforcement of a number of factory reforms . Working class interests were diverted to the newly formed craft-trade unions and to many new co-operative movements. But it is still debated, and will probably always will be debated, if the movement was, or was not, a failure. Most of the authors researching this period claim it was, but, as far as I see, the answer cannot be so definitive. Five of six of its’ major demands were satisfied in the coming years , and, there is no doubt, the Chartism played a major role in preparing the government for these changes. It seems to be a necessary step in working-class development, especially since it was much more mature than the spasmodic outbreaks at the beginning of the century. It left no direct heir but it has bequeathed a very real inspiration to subsequent generations , and its’ failure in many senses is more apparent then real . Although many individuals made fortunes, some working men became Members of Parliament and country gentlemen, this experiment in sociology failed is short- term, but was a success for the working-class in a long term . The concessions from the Parliament were not immediately achieved and the desired liberties seemed to be far away, but the Chartists gave a much needed and severe shock to the established government and succeeded in bringing the need for the immediate reforms to the attention of politicians. The existence itself of this famous movement made possible the creation of trade unions of the 1850s and, probably the movement’s greatest, although probably indirect, achievement, gave rise to class-consciousness in Britain, contributed to the rise of political awareness of the working class and greatly improved the organization and determination to better the conditions of the working classes in England - the way for future struggles was built. - THE END - Bibliography Briggs, A., Chartist Studies, (MacMillan & Co., 1965). Epstein,J., The Lion of Freedom: Faergus O’Connor and the Chartist Movement, 1832-1842 (Oxford,1982). Goodway,D., London Chartism (Cambrige, 1982). Gregg, P., Social and Economic History of Britain, (Harrap, 1969). Hammond, J.L., and Hammon B., The Age of the Chartists (Archon Books, 1962). Morris, R.J., Class and Class Consciousness in the Industrial Revolution 1780-1850 (Oxford, 1979). Thorne,C., Chartism, (Macmillan, 1966). Ramsden, J., & Williams G., Ruling Brittania (Longman, 1990). Richards, D. & Hunt J.W., Modern Britain (Longman, 1967). Walker,J., British Economic and Social History, (Macdonald & Evans, 1968). West,J., A History of the Chartist Movement, (Augustus M. Kelley, 1920). The only demand of the chartist that remains unsecured even today. With possibly some assistance from Francis Place. Commonly known as L.W.M.A. - an organization of London’s Radicals, who were stirred in belief that the society should be radically changed both politically and economically by any means, led by W.Lovett and F.Place, created in 1836 and commonly seen as the cradle of the whole Chartist movement. Since 1768 those six demands were common part of radical agitation of any kind, but were never introduced as one document until 1837. especially the highly unpopular Combination Acts (of 1799 and 1800), and, as already stated above, the New Poor Law of 1834. Although the Combination Acts of 1799 and 1800 were repealed in 1824 and 1825, all gatherings of people were subjects to numerous restrictions and prohibitions. Although all the points of Charter were purely political, and the leaders of Chartism were, undoubtedly, politically motivated, I can hardly believe that millions of simple workers supporting the Charter were, as their leaders, politically aware and motivated by the same reasons as their leaders. For them the Chartism was the way to reach economic stability - the whole issue of Chartism can be seen as a "knife and fork, a bread and cheese question" as Joseph Rayner Stephens said on 24 September 1838 when he spoke at Kersal Moor, Manchester, in favor of universal suffrage, or in phrase of G.J.Harney’s London Democrat (April 27th,1839) “that all shall have a good house to live in with a garden back or front, just as occupier likes; good clothing to keep him warm and to make him look respectable, and plenty of good food and drink to make him look and feel happy…” The fact that the movement was at its’ height during the period of strongest economic hardships, and that it came to its’ end under Peel's economic reforms seems to support this assumption. During the 3 years between 1836 and 1838 about 63 banks collapsed on the territory of England only. Almost no money was available for investment - thing that stopped the development of the new and old industries and contributed to the growth of the unemploy- ment, to growing prices of both food and manufactured goods, which, in it’s turn, contributed to the growth of poverty, discontent and revolutionary moods of the working class people in Great Britain. The famous “Anti-Corn Law League” sought to find a relief using economic means - they seek to repeal the unpopular Corn-Laws and to introduce free trade. i.e. both Whigs and Tories seemed to have embraced a hostile attitude to the reforms - thing that was highly disliked by the Radicals outside those political bodies, who were unhappy with this obvious hostility to reform, all of which offered no prospect of the future achievement of the vote for the working classes. Like Anti Poor-Law campaign, Anti-Corn Law League, 10-Hour Movement and many other similar, but less popular and successful movements, some of which were absorbed into the Chartist Movement a number of years later. The Chartists obtained one and a quarter million signatures and presented the Charter to the House of Commons in 1839 (the petition was rejected by a vote of 235 to 46).eaders A second petition with 3,315,752 signatures was rejected in 1842; the rejection of the third petition in 1848, allegedly signed by 6 million (or, as claimed by the government, only about 2 million) people, brought an end to the movement. Although those numbers are rough and the authenticity of many of the signatures is debated, from these statistics, and from many other evidences, anyone can see, that Chartist were supported by enormous number of people. Thus the demands of payments to MPs etc. Those Chartists’ demands, when implemented years later, made the participation of working class people in politics much more possible and valuable. Pr.Marjorie Bloy, Rotherham College of Arts and Technology. This is, as far as I see, the most reasonable assumption, backed by the fact that the popularity of Chartism peaked in times of depression and unemployment, i.e. in 1838-39; 1842; 1847-48, when, as it seemed, the radical changes and reforms were needed for British People to survive these hard times. And, as consequence, Chartism was strongest in centers of industries e.g. textiles and stocking-making single industry towns like Stockport, and it was weak in agricultural areas and the South-West. A number of such examples can be given - in London the movement included mostly philosophical radicals, craftsmen, skilled artisans, who was led by various consti- tutional reformers and moderates, like Lovett and Place. In Manchester the movement included cotton factory workers, and was led by violent neo-Marxist revolutionaries socialist, whose aims were mostly revolutionary. In Yorkshire woollen workers embraced the Charter, and they were led by men of force, like Feargus O’Connor. In Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire the movement took the form of neo-luddism, and the Chartists there were motivated by desire of social and economic reforms, and had very little or no political goals. This diversity can be explained by the lack of a strong central leadership and one centralized policy to unify all the fractions of the Chartists. Only four years after its’ rise, in 1842, the Chartist leadership was divided and different leaders went in different directions: Chartists in Scotland emphasized Christian Chartism, Lovett emphasized education, Vincent and Lowery emphasized teetotal Chartism, O'Connor’s main concern was the Land Plan. Many other leaders went into Marxism, trade union activity and local government activity. Sturge, although unsuccessfully, advocated co-operation with middle-class radicals and dissenters in the Complete Suffrage Union. The major division in Chartism in 1842 was between the force of argument of Lovett and Place and the argument of force (O'Connor). Many of the less radical leaders, many of whom were the initiators of Chartism - became disillusioned and abandoned the movement. Like the “plug plots” of August,1842, that took place in Northern England. The workers could not afford to loose workdays, and the tensions between the Chartist leadership prevented successful accomplishment of workers goals. 1846. Achieved, despite the strong opposition of Peel and danger of economy’s damage in these hard times, by Lord Shaftesbury in the second half of 1840s. The property qualification for MPs was abolished in 1858, the secret ballot was imple- mented in 1872, the demand of equal electoral districts was satisfied in three stages - in 1876, 1884 and 1918, payment of MPs was given in 1911 and universal suffrage was was achieved in four stages - in 1867, 1884, 1918 and 1928. The sixth point (annual elections to Parliament) was never achieved, and at this point it seems to be desired by nobody. Social and Economic History of Britain, Pauline Gregg, (Harrap, 1969). Chartism, C. Thorne (Macmillan, 1966). A history of the Chartist Movement, J.West (August M.Kelley, 1920) . Although this view is disagreed by many historians, who see in the entire movement nothing but failure. ****** If you want to use this essay for your own purposes, you are free to do so, but only after you notified the owner of this site and this essay via e-mail: yu204707@yorku.ca, and mention him in you "bibliography".