The English tradition, from Godwin to Lovett and the ‘moral force’ Chartists:

Early Parliamentary Reform Movements Arguments for reform popularised by

American Revolution 1776.‘No Taxation Without Representation’

Extreme/fringe radicals start advocating universal male suffrage.John Cartwright, Take Your Choice, 1776

Reaction to the French Revolution 1789.Fears from elites of the politicisation of ‘knife

and fork’ riots.Thomas Paine, Rights of Man, 1791.

William Godwin (1756-1836) Exponent of utilitarianism; believed in

‘evolutionary anarchy.’ Enquiry Concerning Political Justice

(1793)Asks the rich to voluntarily transfer some of

their property/wealth to those in need, but opposes violent revolution or expropriation.

Things as They Are or The Adventures of Caleb Williams (1794)

Into the Nineteenth Century Luddism 1815 Corn Law 1816 Spa Fields riots 1817 ‘March of the Blanketeers’ Petitioning and the 1819 Peterloo

Massacre 1820 The Six Acts

The Peterloo Massacre, as depicted by Robert Carlile,

circa 1819

1832 Reform Act

£10 Householder FranchiseTory Richard Oastler: a bourgeois revolution.

More representation granted to many cities and larger towns throughout Britain, and the some of the smallest, most corrupt boroughs removed altogether.

No platform for the still-fragmented working classes

The People’s Charter, 1837

The People’s Charter, 1837 A VOTE for every man twenty-one years of age, of

sound mind, and not undergoing punishment for crime. THE BALLOT. To protect the elector in the exercise of

his vote. NO PROPERTY QUALIFICATION for Members of

Parliament - thus enabling the constituencies to return the man of their choice, be he rich or poor.

PAYMENT OF MEMBERS, thus enabling an honest tradesman, working man, or other person, to serve a constituency, when taken from his business to attend to the interests of the Country.

EQUAL CONSTITUENCIES, securing the same amount of representation for the same number of electors.

ANNUAL PARLIAMENTS, thus presenting the most effectual check to bribery and intimidation.

William Lovett

1836 London Working Men’s Association

1839 Secretary of Chartists Chartism, 1840 http://gerald-massey.org.uk/lovett/b_chartism.htm

1841 National Association for Promoting the Political and Social Improvement of the People

‘Moral Force’ Coined by contemporary historian R. G.

Gammage. Focused on education and political

arguments rather than the ‘power’ of 19th C-style nonviolent protest.

1839 Convention Too radical? Too naïve? Other key supporters: James Watson,

Francis Place

‘Physical Force’

Feargus O’ConnorThe Northern Star