“Social and economic factors were the main reasons for the growth of the Chartist movement.” Discuss.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the various reasons for the growth of Chartism including social and economic factors. To agree with the statement candidates may examine the various phases of the growth of Chartism and argue that they coincided with economic problems and a decline in living standards. Candidates may discuss that unemployment was often an immediate cause for Chartist protests but there were also social factors such as appalling working conditions (Newport Rising) and anger at the impact of the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act. The fact that Chartism declined in the 1850s as Britain became more prosperous and the positive impact of some of Peel’s reforms could also support this opinion. Candidates may argue that political factors were more important during the first phase of Chartism as support grew because of disappointment with the 1832 Parliamentary Reform Act, as is reflected by the demands in the Charter. The collapse of Trade Unionism after the Tolpuddle Martyrs in 1834 and trial of union leaders in Glasgow 1837 meant that many trade unionists joined the Chartist movement, and this could be seen as a political factor. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that social and economic factors were the main reasons for the growth of the Chartist movement.