Radicals attempt to introduce a secret ballot, more frequent elections and free trade in corn

Historical Context Note

Litencyc Editors (Independent Scholar - Europe)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.07: English Writing and Culture of the Victorian Period, 1837-1901.
Vol. editors: Gillian Fenwick (University of Toronto), Jessica Gossling (Goldsmiths College, University of London)

Domains

Political Reform

Dates

Date of occurrence 1838

Places

United Kingdom (Location)

Resources

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Out of the depressed economic state and terrible living conditions of the manufacturing towns of the north of England, a radical movement developed that demanded reforms to extend political rights to working-class men. In the 'People's Charter' they drew up, which gave them their name of Chartists, they called for more frequent General Elections and the introduction of a secret ballot. They also put their support behind the anti-Corn Law movement, which called for the corn laws, which kept bread prices artificially high to benefit British agriculture, to be lifted.

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90 words

Citation: Editors, Litencyc. "Radicals attempt to introduce a secret ballot, more frequent elections and free trade in corn". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 30 August 2013 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=4778, accessed 06 May 2024.]

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