Evaluate the reasons for the emergence of Chartism.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the reasons for the emergence of Chartism, weighing up the significance of different reasons. The People’s Charter was published in May 1838. Candidates may focus on political and economic reasons. Evaluation of political reasons may include reference to the failure of the 1832 Reform Act to extend the franchise further, or the decision to prosecute trades unions (Tolpuddle Martyrs). Evaluation of economic reasons may include reference to the impact of economic depression, the fear of unemployment—and the workhouse—and the relative failure of factory reform. Candidates may also highlight the regional differences between Chartism in London and Chartism in Wales, the North and the Midlands. Candidates may also address the ways in which Chartism in the late 1830s differed from the Chartism of 1848.

The question required candidates to make an appraisal of the reasons for the emergence of Chartism. There were few responses seen to this question. Some very good in-depth knowledge was displayed on the causes of Chartism especially from students answering in Spanish.