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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.
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