Chartism

The Great Reform Act 1832 granted voting rights to the property-owning middle classes in Britain, but many working men were still unable to vote.

A large gathering at Glasgow Green learns about the People’s Charter for the first time on May 21, although printed copies are not available yet.

A huge mass meeting held on Kersal Moor near Salford, Lancashire, on 24 September 1838, with speakers advocating for manhood suffrage and emphasizing the economic factors in the launch of Chartism.

The first Chartist convention took place in London on February 4th. This marked a significant gathering of Chartists to discuss their demands and strategies.

On May 7th, the first Chartist petition with over 1,280,000 signatures was presented to Parliament. This demonstrated the widespread support for the Chartist movement.

On 5th October 1839, The People's Charter was officially adopted, outlining the six main demands of the Chartists for political reform.

On 3rd November 1839, around four thousand people marched into Newport led by John Frost, resulting in a bloody battle with deaths and injuries as soldiers occupied the Westgate Hotel, forcing the Chartists to retreat.

On 4 November 1839, a group of 5,000 Chartists led by John Frost, William Jones, and Zephaniah Williams attempted to take control of Newport, Monmouthshire. The uprising ended abruptly when troops protecting the Westgate Hotel opened fire, resulting in the death of at least 22 people.

On 25th May 1840, Thomas Slingsby Duncombe presents a petition with 1.3 million signatures to Parliament, requesting a pardon for the Newport prisoners.

On 20th July 1840, a Chartist convention in Manchester established the National Charter Association to bring together local organizations.

In August 1841, Robert Peel and his Conservative party took power after defeating Melbourne's Whigs in a general election.

Samuel Holberry led a failed uprising in Sheffield on January 12. The plot was uncovered by spies, leading to the easy suppression of the rebellion. Holberry was later sentenced to a long prison term with hard labor and eventually died in prison, becoming a martyr for the Chartist movement.

Robert Peddie attempted a similar uprising in Bradford on January 26, but the authorities were already informed by spies, resulting in the swift end of the rebellion. Peddie, like Holberry, received a lengthy prison sentence with hard labor.

On 2nd May 1842, a second Chartist petition containing over 3,250,000 signatures was submitted to Parliament but was ultimately rejected by the House of Commons.

Extracts from an article in ‘The Preston Chronicle and Lancashire Advertiser’ on 13 August 1842 reported trouble in Manchester and its surroundings.

The General Strike of 1842, also known as the Plug Plot, was a series of strikes and unrest in various regions of England, including Staffordshire, Cheshire, Lancashire, Scotland, and West Yorkshire. It was marked by organized protests, property destruction, and clashes with authorities.

By September 1842, the General Strike of 1842 had largely subsided, with Lancashire and Cheshire being the last regions to see workers return to their jobs. The power loom weavers in Manchester were among the final group to end the strike.

In May 1843, William Sharman Crawford introduced the NCSU approved bill to the House of Commons, which was described as 'a small and bored' audience.

Subscriptions were raised for the publication of a hymnal, which was printed as a 64-page pamphlet and distributed for a nominal fee. In 2011, a smaller pamphlet of 16 hymns was discovered in Todmorden Library, believed to be the only Chartist Hymnal in existence.

In 1847, Feargus O'Connor was elected for the Nottingham constituency, becoming the first Chartist to achieve such a feat. This election victory was a significant boost for the Chartist movement.

In April 1848, a demonstration was planned to be held on Kennington Common, London, following protests and riots in Manchester, Glasgow, and Dublin. The demonstration aimed to present a petition to Parliament, but was cancelled by O'Connor due to authorities' restrictions.

A Chartist meeting took place at Blackfriars Bridge as depicted in the 'Illustrated London News' on 15 April 1848. Chartism was a working-class movement for political reform in Britain during the mid-19th century.

The handbook of the People’s Charter Union in 1848 defined universal suffrage as the right of every man of 21 years of age and over. It highlighted the evolution of the definition of universal suffrage over time.

By the 1850’s, the peak of the Chartist movement had long since passed and all that was left were a few pockets of resistance.

In April 1851, a Chartist convention held in London adopted a socialist programme.

A Chartist convention took place in Manchester from May 17 to May 21, 1852.

In March 1854, the Labour Parliament gathered in Manchester to lead a Chartist revival which unfortunately did not materialize.

Feargus O'Connor passed away on August 30, 1855.

The final national Chartist convention was held in February 1858, with 41 delegates in attendance.

Part of the urban working men was admitted to the franchise under the Reform Act 1867, expanding voting rights.

In 1872, secret voting was introduced, a demand that was part of the People's Charter.

In 1911, the payment of Members of Parliament was implemented, fulfilling another demand of the Chartists.

In 1918, full manhood suffrage was achieved in the UK, granting voting rights to all adult men.

A book by Donald Read and Eric Glasgow focusing on the life of Feargus O'Connor, an Irishman who played a significant role in the Chartist movement in the 19th century.

Stephen Roberts' book that explores the voices and perspectives of six Chartist leaders who were influential figures in the early Victorian Britain political landscape.

E. Royle's book providing insights into the Chartist movement, its history, and impact during the 19th century in Britain.

Stephen Roberts' essay collection that examines the democratic agitation and movements in early Victorian Britain, particularly focusing on the People's Charter and its significance.

Professor Malcolm Chase, a social history professor at the University of Leeds, published the book 'Chartism: A New History' in 2007.

Stephen Roberts' work that sheds light on the radical lives and experiences of Thomas Cooper and Arthur O'Neill, two notable figures within the Chartist movement.

Emma Griffin's study focusing on the formation of the Chartists, exploring popular politics and working-class autobiography in early Victorian Britain.

An essay collection edited by Dorothy Thompson, featuring contributions from leading specialists that discuss the dignity and significance of the Chartist movement.