How Did Chartism Emerge In The 1830's

Whilst historians find it difficult to suggest which category to explain why the Chartist movement came about, many have argued that the previous 1832 Reform Act played a major part. Whilst arguably a landmark in British politics and a mighty feat in the extension of the franchise, the 1832 Reform Act was a disappointment to the working-classes. Instead many saw it as treacherous and a step forward to achieving the votes of middle-class, and alienating the working-classes whose role in the political system was null and void. In principal many realised their interests were not at heart as many lost their MP’s. So, it’s not a surprise that Chartism arrived during the 1830’s because the 1832 Reform Act shadowed the working-classes, a predominantly large group who then founded the London Working Men’s Association, in order to further extend their rights.
As the New Poor Law of 1834 came into place it meant the abolition of any existing forms of poor relief. It was presumed that ending poor relief would encourage the poor to look for jobs (they also believed that poverty was the result of laziness), however their understanding of these kind of issues was an ill educated guess and not appropriate. The movement against the Poor Law was very strong in the North of England which had hit an economic crisis in the textile industry and many were beginning to feel the strains. It was estimated that 400,000 handloom weavers (an influential group of people supporting Chartism) were soon to be in financial ruin. The movement for an end to the Poor Laws became instant upon its creation and whilst many people got poorer, it was those same people whose voting rights were nonexistent. The economic depression in the North was during 1837-38 so clearly economic difficulties were also a major factor to support