Chartism
www.educationforum.co.uk
Beginnings
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Chartism started in 1836 with the formation of
the London Working Men’s 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 O’Connor (owner of the radical
newspaper the Northern Star)
The Charter
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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
First Petition
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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
Newport Uprising
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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
O’Connor himself.
The Second Petition
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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
The Third Petition
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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 O’Connor
(now elected to parliament) even preparing a
proposed new constitution for a British
republic – revolution was in the air!
Kennington Common 1848
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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.
O’Connor was allowed to travel to parliament alone with the petition (this
time with an estimated 6 million signatures), who again rejected it.
O’Connor was left will little option than to tell the crowds to disperse.
Ridicule
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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!
O’Connor 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 O’Connor
himself had died.