Chartism: everything you wanted to know
Joan Allen answers listener questions on the working-class mass campaign for political reform

Published: May 21, 2023 at 6:25 AM
The first half of the 19th century witnessed the rise of an extraordinary working-class campaign for political reform: Chartism. What made this movement so remarkable was its size and sophistication – and the level of anxiety it provoked among the British establishment. But who were the Chartists? Why was the authorities' reaction to them so draconian? And did they actually achieve any of their aims? Speaking with Spencer Mizen, Joan Allen answers your top questions about Chartism.
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Authors
Spencer MizenSenior Production Editor, BBC History Magazine
Spencer is senior production editor of BBC History Magazine
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