Why Did Chartism Emerge In Britain C1838

611 Words3 Pages
Chartism is a fairly dispersed movement, its large nature and appeal coupled with many different opposing viewpoints, make it really difficult to categorize, and equally difficult to find a defined origin. Chartism in its rawest definition was the world first working class movement, which by its definition would give it a huge backing politically. But why exactly did it come about in the around 1838? One of the main reasons would have to be the failure of the so-called “Great” reform act for most people. Effectively the act benefited the middle classes, who were now given an electoral voice in parliament, while the working classes were largely ignored, causing widespread anger and resentment for the act, and all those it benefited. The huge number of working classes wanted to be represented, and the act was yet more salt in the wound. If you were to gather up dates for the most widespread Chartist appreciation in Britain and put this on a graph alongside the economies peaks and troughs, the results would no doubt roughly mirror each other. For Chartism excelled during times of economic disturbance, particularly the late 30’s. This ran alongside the blossoming industrialisation of Britain, areas such as Stockport and Cheshire undergoing radical change were often the strongest supports of Chartism. Most notably 400,000 weavers were laid off, so with so many people a desire for change is no doubt to be incredibly strong, Chartism encompassed this passion into an actual collection, albeit a dispersed one. Laughing in the face of Liverpool’s attempt to stop them and 1815 and 1821, the rebels were still running riot through the streets. Hunt and Cobbett amongst others continued demands for political and social change. And the new leaders didn’t stop coming, Feargus O’Connor one of the “Physical force” Chartist was new to the scene are ready for revolt. Chartism served
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