Supporters and Opponents of Chartism

 

Supporters

 

William Lovett was a British activist and important leader of the Chartist movement. He believed that through political and non-violent methods, political rights could be achieved.  The supporters wanted their lives to be more equal and their voting rights to be the same as everyone else’s. This chartist message was spread  by orators and notably, ‘The Northern Star’, a radical press which was originated and founded in 1837 by Feargus O’Connor, a future Chartist Leader.

 

As a humorous criticizer and energetic ex parliament member, Feargus Edward O’Connor was a hugely supported Chartist leader. While Lovett used petitions and peaceful protests to convince the authority, Fergus however, resorted to violence which led bloody government suppression and the arrest of many Chartist leaders. Despite the massive Irish supporters Fergus led, most of the Chartist were for Catholic Repeal Movement to set Catholic groups free from discrimination and restraints on political voice, property ownership and religious freedom.

 

Opponents

 

Those who opposed were the parliament members and generally the wealthier members of society. Many politicians rejected the idea of passing the Chartists’ bill outrightly, although some such as Sir Robert Peel, the conservative prime minister denied it for socioeconomic reasons.They believed that although the situation was dire, policy changes and economic reform was the answer instead of political equality as well as instability if the masses took over parliament, including the threat to property and country being blatant.