Chartism

(1837-1848)

1832- British Parliament gives representation to industrial towns but in 1837 refuses further concessions so

“People’s Charters” put forward by Working Man’s Association:

-universal male suffrage

-annual parliaments

-payment of members

-vote by ballot

-equal electoral districts

-abolition of property requirements for members of Parliament

1839, a million and a quarter signatures presented to Parliament (another petition in 1842). Already Chartism was gaining a violent connotation with strikes, trade-union demonstrations, and attacks on factories and manufacturers.

In 1848 6 million signatures (many fake) again carried to Parliament with a procession of 25,000. Petitioners met British military resistance, and movement fell apart.