TASK ONE
‘Chartism- political or economic movement?’
* ‘Case for the economic view’
The causation of Chartism from economic perspective deeply characterises and describes the conditions of 19th century, namely low wage, factory discipline, high prices and periodic unemployment. This was widening the gap between the rich and poor and making it very significant at one point. Discontent regarding the situation- exploitation in factories became a major turning point as for example traditional hand workers such as the London silk- weavers were experiencing extreme distress due to competition from machines. The alternatives they were left with were either joining the factory workers or asking for relief from parish (as they could join the workhouse from 1837).
Despite Huskinsson’s reforms of the 1820s and the 1815 Corn Laws the protectionist economy still prevailed. As the Corn Laws depressed domestic markets by keeping food prices artificially high this mirrored the situation regarding employment. On the other side, the foreign markets were also undercut due to further reducing factory output and exports. Other reforms were also essential in taxation; banking and customs as the 1830s period were significantly shaped by bad harvests.
As taxation fell on the working class through indirect taxation the situation got worse. Due to abolishment of income tax in 1816 the situation got completely ‘out of hand’ as at least 16% of real wages were consumed by real taxes, real value of wages was diminished and bad harvests were ‘the last straw’ to series of fiscal crises in 1830s. The Whigs, being in power from 1830 until 1841, made no reforms to banking or currency and their economic strategy left a country with £7million of deficit in 1841. This period is characteristic of the banking crisis as about 63 banks crashed in England, high unemployment and a time of high food prices. Very little money was available for investment despite investment aimed at America in 1837. Checkland (1985) states that the demand for products of industry, together ‘with the available export market, was insufficient to consume the whole of the potential.. .’
The Research paper on The current financial and economic situation
During my analysis of the current financial and economic situation, I uncovered how the effects of the situation are still being revealed. It is imperative to recognize that the situation is complex in nature and that is why we must comprehend how this dire situation came to be. We must also comprehend why we are seeing the consequences unfold, the various impacts of the financial bailout, and ...
The period of the disparity in the distribution of wealth in the times above was captured in work of writers such as Disraeli (later leader of Tories) who drew his novel Sybil or The Two Nations picturing England divided into the haves and the have-nots (1845).
Charles Dickens exposed working conditions and systems in his books such as Oliver Twist (1837) and Hard Times (1854).
Friedrich Engels acquired the evidence for Conditions of the English working Class in 1844 form situation in Manchester, which was a basis for Karl Marx’s Das Kapital.
It is worth noting that the Anti-Corn Law League was affected by the same economic conditions, although it aimed to solve these issues with economic ideas such as repeal of the Corn Laws and the introduction of free trade. This was different to the Chartist who sought to solve all their economic problems with political reform.
* ‘Case for the political view’
The 1832 Reform Act did not enfranchise the working class who gave massive support to the middle class campaign for this piece of legislation. This made the working class very unhappy with the attitudes of Tory and Whigs and their hostility to reform as identification for the non- achievement of future vote for working class was uncovered. This led to the huge disappointment within the working class and final understanding of the principle that middle- class representation led to middle- class legislation; knowing Chartist will seek a political solution to their economic and social problems. John Belchem argues that movement is political rather than economic and it is based around the six point of the Charter which were votes for all men; equal electoral districts; abolition of the requirement that Members of Parliament be property owners; payment for M.P.s; annual general elections; and the secret ballot.
The Essay on Industrial Revolution: Causes And Social, Economic, Cultural, Religious, Political
The Industrial Revolution in Europe between 1760 and 1850 had a major impact on the many countries of Europe that forever shaped their outcome. The Industrial Revolution had many causes that are still debatable to this day, the most major influence however was the end of the French Revolution. After the Industrial Revolution, many changes took place throughout the continent economically, socially, ...
Whigs reforms were more institutional than economic as the 1833 Factory Act regulated child labour. Adult hours were not mentioned apart from textile factories which was a huge disappointment to the 10-hour movement.
The 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act described poverty as crime; aimed at cutting poor rate. Workhouses were hated due to their brutal conditions and Anti- Poor Law campaigns of 1834-36 failed. The movement of some members to demolish workhouses was described by Sir Charles Napier in Nottingham in 1840
Early established trade unions failed and legislation on 1824 and 1825 repealed the Combination Acts of 1799 and 1800 so unions were allowed again. The examples can be John Doherty’s Spinners’ Union in 1829 and Grand National Consolidated Trade Union by Robert Owen in 1833 that aimed to unite all workers.
It is worth noting that all union schemes were easily defeated by employers as it was an employers’ market that controlled it with strikes and lock-outs. An evidence can be found in 1834 ‘The document’ created by employer for mutual assistance against strikers and trade unionists. This was unsuccessful as government supported employers (e.g. Tolpuddle Martyrs).
The economic situation- high prices, dread of workhouse and fear of transportation meant that workers could not afford the strike weapon, which benefited the employers’ marker even more.
The failure of Chartism was a significant movement in the development of working class organisation.
Bibliography
1. Benson,J (2003).
The Working Class in Britain 1850- 1939. New York: Tauris & Co Ltd: New York.
2.Checkland,S (1985).
British and Public Policy 1776-1939: An Economic, Social and Political Perspective. Cambridge: University Press: England.p.44-48
The Term Paper on Power: the Federal Government and the Union Movement
When discussing power and its implications, one must take into account several key things: who the proponents are, what positions they hold, and what they have to gain from exercising power. Generally, it is obvious when power is employed, it is one group contesting the other, and an outcome is achieved by the exercise of power, usually by the group in the strongest position. However, often, ...
3.Murphy,D (2003).Britain 1783- 1918, London: Colins: England.
