The Failure Of Chartism In The United States

In 1850 a new economic system rose in America, Industrial Capitalism. The rise of Industrial Capitalism brought many Changes to America. Cities and transportation, such as automobiles and railroads, become popular during this time. The three social classes became distinct during this time. The benefits of Industrial Capitalism were increase in production, because the creation of the assembly line. More jobs were created and high salaries for workers. This all created a more controlled economy. Despite the Benefits, there were many problems that came with Industrial Capitalism. The biggest problems were social class inequality and that people were unhappy. There were many groups in the next 100 years that would try to solve these problems; Progressives

A rally cry prominent in the time of the Revolution, the phrase “taxation without representation” morphed into a crucial point of contention in the

The 18th century can be marked as a period of internal and external struggle for the American colonists. From improper representation, to unfair taxes, such as the Stamp Act, to being overall abused by Britain, the colonists were justifiably angry. From this anger, the slogan “No taxation without representation” was born and quickly began to emerge from the lips of almost every colonist all across America. The demand from colonists everywhere for no taxation without representation weighed heavily as a symbol for democracy, as it revealed the mindset of many – Britain was using the hardworking colonists and took their money without even giving them a say – and laid the foundation for the American revolutionary war, allowing more arguments and

This illustrates that the Senate is controlled by big business, and how easily wealthy people had power over the government. Moreover, the railroad presidents were seen as kings, they could delay lawsuits, control the government and the people, corrupt communities, and control the press (DOC B). Important railroad companies dictated government policies because the legal system favored railroad interests. Further, trying to better the political system, the Populist Party made themselves known. Their platform demanded that the government be restored to the hands of the “plain people.” They wanted to end oppression, injustice, and poverty (DOC F). Evidently, they were dedicated to political and social reform, and urged that the government be strengthened and take responsibility of the people.

During that time, the populist movement in 1874-76 ‘Going to the people’ failed as villages as the peasants saw the middle class as outsiders, showing the vast gulf between the intelligentsia and the peasants. As a result, Populism became more radical, with the creation of the secret organisation of Land and Liberty in 1876, using terrorism and organising the assassinations of leading figures.

During the time period between 1825-1840, ideals such as equality, liberty and the pursuit of happiness defined democratic ideals. The reforms during this period of time were based on the craving to make America a utopian society. In addition, the 2nd Great Awakening expanded much of the democratic ideals by increasing church membership, especially in women also it inspired social reforms such as prisons, slavery, alcohol, education, women rights, and mental ill. Furthermore, it increased religious diversity. So the Reform Movements in the period of 1825-1850 did much to expand democratic ideals on abolition of slavery, women's rights movement, and American Temperance.

In the 19th century, anarchism was a growing movement that scared many people including Julian. Dr. Leete describes how it was in fact the wealthiest who funded them, so people would be afraid of reform. However, this was not enough because social change was not instigated by labor or political parties but by the vow by mankind to persevere and conquer the old order and usher in the new. Mr. Bellamy contrasts the anarchist and socialist movements in order posit the latter in a more favorable light.

During the years 1865 to 1900, the gilded age transformed the world with a new wave of industrialization. Both farmers and industrial workers were affected by this industrialization, and had both positive and negative outcomes because of it. These new changes resulted in various conflicts as farmers and workers both wanted improvement in society. Although the gilded age brought new advancements with it, it was still a period of hardship for many people who lived during this time. While the government and those with money and power thrived during the gilded age, many others suffered.

Many farmers were angered, but had faith in their new government. According to William Manning, who lived during the Rebellion, “…the people were driven to the greatest extremity. Many counties took to conventions remonstrances, and petitions to a court where they were not half represented” (Manning). For four years, counties from all over the state sent polite petitions to the government stating that the rural economy was in atrocious shape and asking for the government to give them some relief, all of which the government ignored (Smith). As the Massachusetts government continued to ignore their petitions, many farmers started to see similarities between how they were being treated by their new government and how the had been treated by Great Britain. Finally after four years in 1786, when the legislature ignored the petitions once again people in communities like Pelham had been patient long enough. They felt it was time for action and turned to the method that had worked just a few short years ago.

The economic conditions was a major part in gaining support in chartism. Chartist reached out to the working class people who were struggling within society. The poor law and tax increases was making it harder for the working class people to survive, this lead to poverty and people entering the workhouse. Another factor was the poor working conditions and low wages that were causing ill heath. Evidence within the article to support how chartist gained support is “with this nation suffering its liberty and rights to be remorselessly trampled upon by murderous factions, jobbers and commercial blood sucking vampires” This is a sticking statement of how the middle class employers were seen as a higher class of people, who were exploiting the working class. Another point to make it that chartist struggled to gain support in agricultural places and that most of the support came form industrial cities were the population was higher. A reference to this is seen in a

From 1825-1850 many reform movements arose mainly due to the Market Revolution. The Market Revolution produced the idea that society will forever be fluctuating. This concept led to the Second Great Awakening, which ultimately inspired many positive movements of change including women's suffrage, abolitionism, workers rights, prison reforms, educational improvements, and respecting the mentally ill. Some reforms actually restricted liberties, such as prohibition, nativism, and the increase of utopian societies. The majority of these reform movements sought to expand democratic ideals. However, some reform movements were too focused on creating a better society where democratic ideals were compromised.

The Populist movement was the most distinguished reform movement of the late nineteenth century, totalling more than one million popular votes during the election of 1892. The Populist movement was a product of a social movement that was created in response to the changes in the American economy and society during the 1890s. Despite the fact that they died out that same century, some of their ideas lived on with the Progressives of the early twentieth century. These two movements both were based on the people’s dissatisfaction with government and its failure to deal effectively with the problems of the day. While the Progressives went beyond the original ideas of the Populist by advocating for social reform, they still succeeded in achieving gains for economic, industrial, and

During the time period 1875 to 1900, the labor unions failed miserably in their efforts to amend the working conditions their workers were under. During the 19th century, the Second Industrial Revolution and The Gilded Age were taking place. These were transmuting the way society was viewed and how people lived their everyday lives. During the labor movement, there were many different organizations and groups that advocated change. Two of those specific groups were the Knights of Labor and American Federation of Labor. The failure of those labor unions between 1875 and 1900 in the U.S. was mostly due to the union's actions, followed by problems within the unions, and people's response to the union.

Even though the Stamp Act aroused vehement resistance and although most colonists continued to accept the authority of the British Parliament in respect of regulating their trades, “they insisted that only their representative assemblies could levy direct, internal taxes, such as the one imposed by the Stamp Act” (“STAMP ACT”, n.d.). But their plea was actually overlooked by the British government which argued that “all British subjects enjoyed virtual representation in Parliament, even if they could not vote for members of Parliament” (“STAMP ACT”, n.d.). Looking at the failure of the moderates in forcing the British government to reconsider the taxation process, the radicals started hinting on extreme measures for repealing the Stamp Act. It is to be noted that “These radical voices warned that the tax was part of a gradual plot to deprive the colonists of their freedoms and to enslave them beneath a tyrannical regime” (“STAMP ACT”, n.d.). But still there were opponents to such radicals but such opposition failed to resist the tide of extreme resistances that would change the face of American politics

There were a few major ideas or movements that became increasingly popular in Europe in 1848. These ideas were very important in the Communist Manifesto written by Karl Marx with the help of Frederick Engels. The first idea was socialism, which could be defined as: “an economic system based on collective ownership of the means of production, economic planning, and the equal distribution of goods and services.” In this new way of thinking, agriculture and manufacturing satisfied essentially all of humans wants and needs. According to the Manifesto, this new economic structure would lead to a shift in ownership of production from the bourgeois to the proletariat party. There would be no longer be a need for any set positions or responsibilities. Instead, there would be an emergence of the working class.