Chartism

1
Chartism

• www.educationforum.co.uk

2
Beginnings

• Chartism started in 1836 with the formation of
  the London Working Mens Association whose
  Secretary was William Lovett and chief adviser
  Francis Place.
• Soon over 150 similar associations were
  affiliated to the LWMA the biggest one being it
  Birmingham led by Thomas Atwood and Feargus
  OConnor (owner of the radical newspaper the
  Northern Star)

3
The Charter

• Lovett and Place drafted a proposed Reform Bill
  based on the SIX POINTS of the PEOPLES CHARTER.
• The plan was to get Parliament to adopt these
  points in a new Reform Bill
• A mass petition was organised to be presented to
  Parliament and if it was rejected a Sacred
  Month/National Holiday or general strike to be
  called for a month

4
First Petition

• By 1839 only about ½ million signatures had been
  collected. Further campaigning made this figure
  rise to 1.25 million
• In July 1839 the petition was presented to
  parliament Atwood proposed the Bill but it was
  overwhelmingly voted and laughed out, and the
  Sacred Month duly called.
• Unfortunately support for the strike was patchy
  and it was called off almost before it had begun

5
Newport Uprising

• Already leadership divisions between physical
  force and moral force Chartists were coming to a
  head.
• In November 1839 4,000 men (mostly coalminers)
  led by John Frost marched on Newport to free the
  Chartist leader Henry Vincent from jail and
  takeover the town. The Chartists met stiff
  resistance from troops who engaged them in musket
  fire with around 20 Chartists being killed and
  John Frost arrested.
• As a result of Newport yet more leaders were
  arrested by the authorities including Feargus
  OConnor himself.

6
The Second Petition

• In 1842 a second petition was organised and
  presented to Parliament this time around 3.4
  million signatures, Around 100,000 supporters
  processed the petition to Parliament who duly
  rejected it again.
• The Plug Plot Riots followed in the northern
  industrial areas as protesters removed the plugs
  from steam engines making factories grind to a
  halt widespread looting also occurred
• The authorities took a firm line troops were
  rushed to trouble spots using the new railways
  and hundreds of strikers arrested with 79 being
  transported to Australia

7
The Third Petition

• The last hurray of Chartism occurred during the
  trade slump of 1847/8
• A wave of popular revolutions spread across
  Europe in France, Italy and Germany
• A third and final monster petition was collected
  by the Chartists with OConnor (now elected to
  parliament) even preparing a proposed new
  constitution for a British republic revolution
  was in the air!

8
Kennington Common 1848

• A massive demonstration was planned outside
  Parliament whilst Parliament debated the 3rd
  petition. Physical Force Chartists proposed that
  if the 6 points were rejected to storm Parliament
  and declare a National Assembly in its place.
• The Authorities called on the 80 year old Duke of
  Wellington to defend the government. Thousands
  and troops and special constables (150,000) were
  called up and armed. Queen Victoria was removed
  to the Isle of Wight for safe keeping.
• Chartist numbers were disappointing and with the
  authorities prepared so well, armed, and holding
  key strategic positions across the capital it was
  clear that no revolution was going to happen.
• OConnor was allowed to travel to parliament
  alone with the petition (this time with an
  estimated 6 million signatures), who again
  rejected it. OConnor was left will little option
  than to tell the crowds to disperse.

9
Ridicule

• On closer examination the monster petition
  contained less that 2 million signatures many
  were forgeries including Queen Victoria, Robert
  Peel, Mr Punch, with the Duke of Wellington
  apparently signing it 16 times!
• OConnor had been out manoeuvred and he proposed
  revolution had fizzled out he lost face and
  credibility
• With a recovery in trade and a return to
  prosperity by 1850 Chartism was dead and by 1852
  OConnor himself had died.