What If...THE CHARTISTS HAD SUCCEEDED?
All About History UK|Issue 130
Winning the vote, and a voice, for the working man would change the political and social structure of Britain forever
David J Williamson
What If...THE CHARTISTS HAD SUCCEEDED?

Working people had gathered enormous momentum by the early part of the 19th century. Cities and towns with their factories and mills devoured the landscape, with a huge volume of labour needed to power the vast and greedy British industrial engine. But with it came frustration at the continued lack of recognition for the vital role of the ordinary working population. No longer willing to be treated as disposable fuel to generate wealth for their bosses, they decided to make their voice heard, with a dream of an equal say in politics, turning a rotten and cruelly unequal society on its head. This took the form of a People’s Charter calling for six major electoral reforms.

What would the social, political and economic landscape have looked like if the Chartists had succeeded? 

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM ALL ABOUT HISTORY UKView all
JAPAN HAD INVADED INDIA?
All About History UK

JAPAN HAD INVADED INDIA?

In 1944, the war in South Asia reached a critical moment as Japanese offensives threatened Allied control of north-eastern India and beyond

time-read
7 mins  |
Issue 148
BATTLE OF EYLAU
All About History UK

BATTLE OF EYLAU

PREUSSISCH EYLAU, EAST PRUSSIA (NOW BAGRATIONOVSK, KALININGRAD OBLAST, RUSSIA) 7-8 FEBRUARY 1807

time-read
9 mins  |
Issue 148
"HENRY V WAS THE PERFECT MEDIEVAL KING"
All About History UK

"HENRY V WAS THE PERFECT MEDIEVAL KING"

Historian Dan Jones discusses the kingship of Henry V and his passion for medieval history.

time-read
8 mins  |
Issue 148
The Mother of a Nation
All About History UK

The Mother of a Nation

Uncover the life, art & mysterious legacy of Shin Saimdang

time-read
7 mins  |
Issue 148
James Baldwin
All About History UK

James Baldwin

This author, essayist, playwright, poet, activist and wit used his work to challenge prejudice.

time-read
9 mins  |
Issue 148
PLAYING With HISTORY
All About History UK

PLAYING With HISTORY

Game designers David Thompson and Dave Neale discuss turning the past into a tabletop experience.

time-read
5 mins  |
Issue 148
Queen ANCIENT Lovers
All About History UK

Queen ANCIENT Lovers

Romance took many forms, even in the earliest civilisations

time-read
9 mins  |
Issue 148
FLAWED FOUNDING OF THE UNITED STATES
All About History UK

FLAWED FOUNDING OF THE UNITED STATES

Were the seeds of Civil War already written into the American Constitution?

time-read
10+ mins  |
Issue 148
BRINGING MODERN ART TO THE PEOPLE
All About History UK

BRINGING MODERN ART TO THE PEOPLE

The director of Modern Art Oxford, Paul Hobson, tells us about one of the UK's top contemporary art institutions.

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 148
THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE
All About History UK

THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE

Guy Ritchie's entertaining WWII thriller throws light on Operation Postmaster

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 146