Chartism |
What was the Chartist Movement?
The Chartist Movement existed between 1837 to 1858. It was perhaps the most revolutionary and significant movement of the working class society in the early 19th century Britain. It was one of those rare historical situations where the economic and political struggle of the working class coming together. The name 'Chartists' comes from the People's Charter, a document of six demands that was first published in1838. it formed a national focus point for a mass movement looking to change society in favour of the working class.
In 1836 Cornish Cabinet-maker William Lovett formed the 'London Working Men's Association', along with publisher Henry Hetherington and printers John Cleave and James Watson. Chartism grew from a meeting of the London Working Men's Association. William Lovett brought forth the intention of the organisation, that was 'to draw into one bond of Unity the intelligent and influential portion of the working class in town and country. To seek by every legal means top place all classes of society in possession of the equal political and social rights'. |
Chartists
The name 'Chartists', was a name given to the movement initiated by the working class society. They wanted better social and economic conditions for working people.
The Chartists were a group of working men that wanted change in their society and receive a better life. They created a People's Charter, stating six demands that they would like to see taken into actions, with the odd ways abolished (i.e mining taxes, no rights etc.). The Chartist group represented what the working class society wanted as a better life and better living. After the Battle at Eureka, many Chartists were arrested for treason against the Government but weren't charged because most people had sided with the rebels (Chartists). |
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The People's CharterJob losses and payment reductions were only the beginning for the working-class society in London. This motivated many of the working class to come together to create a 'People's Charter'. Rather than a proclamation for al human rights, this movement originally centred specifically on what was held to a fundamental democratic rights. the supporters of the People's Charter were called 'Chartists'.
The People's Charter was a document, written in 1838 mainly by William Lovett of the London Working Men's Association, stated the whole idea of the coming of the movement. The Charter detailed the six points that the Chartists believe were necessary to reform the Government System and the suffering of the working class society. The Six Points of the People's Charter were: 1. Universal Suffrage (the right to vote if over the age of 21) 2. No Property Qualifications 3. Annual Parliaments 4. Equal Representation 5. Payment of Members 6. Vote by Secret Ballot The People's Charter represented what the Chartists wanted their life to become, what they wanted their society to become. This eventually led to the Battle at Eureka. The most famous and historic battle in Australian history. |
Political Impact on the Eureka Stockade
The Eureka Stockard is possibly the most famous and historic event in Australian History. It shaped our democratic system as we know it. it caused rebellion and petitions against the Government. Diggers at Ballarat protested against the Government tax, back then called a 'mining license', that every miner had to pay in order to dig for gold, regardless of their success on the field. The corrupt Government administration on the field and lack of democratic rights also set tension high. The Ballarat Reform League was formed and created the political platform that was largely based on Chartism. Petitions, demonstrations and letters had little impact.
The rebellion of 1854 on the Ballarat saw many dead and many put on trial for high treason. Public sympathy lay firmly with the rebels and no urn would convict the men. A Gold Commission followed where the miner's license was abolished and substituted with a cheaper miner's right which also gave them the right to vote (if they were over the age of 21). Victoria's first parliament sat in 1855, and consitied of a variety of existing parliament members as well as a variety of rebellion rebels - working men - representing mining electorates. This new Parliament featured a new way of governing the land. It features a secret ballot, manhood suffrage (the right to vote as long as you were over the age of 21), and the abolition of membership qualifications. |
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