The development of political parties and The Corn Laws.

The development of political parties and The

Corn Laws

Where are we now ?

Towards democrac

y

1832Reform Act

(Whigs)

1839-1848Chartism(Whigs / Tories)

1867Reform Act

(Conservatives)

1884/5Reform Act(Liberals)

Terminology

How many can you define ?

Fiscal Deficit

Budget Direct Taxation

Tariff Indirect Taxation

Revenue Sliding scale

Import duties Raw materials

Surplus Free Trade

Backbenchers Frontbenchers

TerminologyHow many can you define ?

FiscalGovernment revenue: taxes

DeficitThe amount by which there is a shortfall of

money.

BudgetAn estimate of income or how much should be

spent

Direct TaxationTax paid directly to the government by a

person

TariffA tax to be paid on certain imports or exports.

Indirect TaxationNot paid directly by the person e.g. final tax on

consumer products

RevenueIncome: especially of an organisation.

Sliding scaleA scale of fees, tax or wages.

Import dutiesA duty imposed on imports.

Raw materialsThe basic material from which a product is

made.

SurplusThe amount left over when requirements are

met.

Free Tradeinternational trade left to its natural course without tariffs, quotas, or other restrictions.

BackbenchersAn MP who does not hold office in Parliament

or opposition.

Frontbenchersa member of the House of Commons who is a minister in the government or who holds an

official position in an opposition party

Lesson Objectives

• To understand what the Corn Laws were

• To become familiar with some economic terms

• To learn about the impact of the Corn Laws on the Conservative Party

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blnyiG46ug0&feature=related

The Corn Laws

Using the booklet answer the following questions:1. What were the Corn Laws?2. Why were they introduced?3. Who benefitted from the Corn Laws and

why?4. Who suffered because of the Corn Laws and

why?5. What was the Conservative dilemma?6. How did the working and middle classes

view the Corn Laws?

The Corn LawsUsing the booklet answer the following questions:1. What were the Corn Laws?

• Protectionist economic policies which placed a limit on how low the price of grain could fall. It was like a tariff on corn.

2. Why were they introduced?• Napoleonic wars – meant no imports, goods protected from competition, farming

became lucrative and British corn was sold with a great profit.• At the end of the war Britain was faced with the prospect of being flooded with

cheap grain.• 1815 – Corn Laws introduced – no foreign corn in Britain until domestic corn

returned to 80 shillings per quarter – this guaranteed profits for landowners3. Who benefitted from the Corn Laws and why?

• Aristocracy and other large landowners • Seen as important source of revenue

4. Who suffered because of the Corn Laws and why?• The Urban working class had to spend the bulk of their income on corn just to

survive. • Manufacturers suffered because people had no money left over to spend and they

had to lay off workers.• Workers then had problems finding employment

5. What was the Conservative dilemma?• Corn laws were an obstacle to free trade which would lead to economic growth and

prosperity • However they were strongly supported by the landed interest

6. How did the working and middle classes view the Corn Laws?• Corn Laws represented the political strength of landed elite which continued to

dominate Parliament despite industrialisation.

What were the Corn laws?

• Corn laws were protectionist economic policies which placed a limit on how low the price of grain (corn) could fall.

• This meant that grain producers would not suffer economic hardship or bankruptcy in times of depression and lowered grain prices.

• It was like having a tariff on corn

•

Why were they introduced?

• During the Napoleonic Wars, the British blockaded the European continent, hoping to isolate the Napoleonic Empire and bring economic hardship to the French. One result of this blockade was that goods within the British Isles were protected against competition from outside sources. There were no French imports. Farming became extremely lucrative, and farming land was traded at very profitable rates. British corn was grown and sold at home with great profit.

Why were they introduced?• At the end of the wars Britain was

faced with the prospect of being flooded with cheap corn. This would affect the revenue of landowners.

• So, in 1815 the Corn Law was introduced. This law stated that no foreign corn would be allowed into Britain until domestic corn reached a price of 80 shillings per quarter; this guaranteed profits for landowners. Later on, a sliding scale was introduced which allowed import duty on foreign corn to rise or fall according to the price of British Corn. (For example: corn at 85s duty at 5s; corn at 90s, duty at 3s

Who benefited?

• The beneficiaries of the Corn Laws were the aristocracy and other large landowners who owned the majority of profitable farmland. Landowners had a vested interest in seeing the Corn Laws remain in force. And since the right to vote was not universal, but rather depended on land ownership, voting Members of Parliament had no interest in repealing the Corn Law. They saw it as an important source of revenue. They were not in favour of Free Trade.

• This is how the laws came to be called ‘class legislation’ Laws passed by a government to favour a specific class ie. Aristocratic land owners.

Who Suffered?

• The artificially high corn prices encouraged by the Corn Laws meant that the urban working class had to spend the bulk of their income on corn just to survive. Since they had no income left over for other purchases, they could not afford manufactured goods. So manufacturers suffered, and had to lay off workers. They were under pressure to pay higher wages.

• These workers had difficulty finding employment, so the economic spiral worsened for everyone involved.

The political dimension• For Conservatives, who believed

in free trade, the Corn Laws presented a dilemma.

• On the one hand they were an obstacle to the freeing of trade restrictions which would lead to greater economic growth and prosperity.

• On the other hand, they were strongly supported by the landed interest which made up the great bulk of Tory support.

• Peel had used his budget to introduce Income Tax (direct taxation), so he could cut duties on imported goods (indirect taxation)

The Radical response

• It was not just the working class that condemned the introduction of the Corn Laws by Liverpool’s government in 1815

• For Radical elements within the middle class, this legislation represented the most obvious example of the political strength of the landed elite which, despite industrialisation and the growth of commercial wealth, continued to dominate parliament.

Peel

• Peel had said he wanted to make Britain “a cheap country to live in” and his ability to cut his deficit and have a surplus by 1844 was testament to his financial ability. He knew that public revenue (fiscal) would come from those who could afford to buy certain goods, but he often had to convince his party members, especially those MP`s who held no office (backbenchers).

Homework: Terminology

How many can you define ?

Fiscal Deficit

Budget Direct Taxation

Tariff Indirect Taxation

Revenue Sliding scale

Import duties Raw materials

Surplus Free Trade

Backbenchers Frontbenchers

Homework: Peel and the Corn Laws• Peel saw the repeal of the Corn Laws as a logical next step

and he introduced a Bill to get rid of them in 1845.• So what factors led him to do this ?• Read pages 148-149 and identify these 5 factors; rank

order them and decide which one you think is the most important.

• Use pages 149-150 to find out :-

1. Why Peel was forced to resign

2. What role Disraeli played in his downfall

3. Why the repeal of the Corn Laws split the Conservative Party.

• The Carebears – Jacob Arkell, Sophie, Daniel, Millie

• The Smurfs – Thomas, Bethany, Jas, Warren

• The Rugrats – Jacob Atwell, Catherine, Elizabeth

• The Moomins – Matthew, Shirley, Katie, Charlotte

• The Flintstones – Fabian, Kieran, Hannah, Rosie

How did the repeal of the Corn Laws affect the Conservatives and the

Liberals?• To reflect on the

aftermath of the Corn Laws – in understanding the effect on the Conservative Party and the problems the new Liberal Party faced

• To start to learn about 2 politicians – their ideas and influences

Robert PeelHe never married He died in 1850

He got a Double First in Maths & the Classics

He was educated at Eton & Cambridge

He was upper class His father was a middle class mill owner

He supported Catholic Emancipation in 1829

He wrote the Tamworth Manifesto – a statement of Conservative Party Policy

On his death bed he said, “I think I could eat one of Bellamy`s veal pies”

He is reputed to have said, “Lies, damn lies and statistics”

He had a Lancashire accent He served as President of the Board of Trade under Lord Liverpool

He opposed the extension of the franchise in 1832

He was at the Home Office in the 1820`s

He was educated at Harrow and Oxford

O`Connell said his smile was like the gleam on the silver plate of a coffin lid

Robert PeelHe never married (F) married Julia He died in 1850 (T)

He got a Double First in Maths & the Classics (T)

He was educated at Eton & Cambridge (F)

He was upper class (F) His father was a middle class mill owner (T)

He supported Catholic Emancipation in 1829 (T) disliked the alternative

He wrote the Tamworth Manifesto – a statement of Conservative Party Policy (T)

On his death bed he said, “I think I could eat one of Bellamy`s veal pies” (F) William Pitt

He is reputed to have said, “Lies, damn lies and statistics” (F) Disraeli

He had a Lancashire accent (T) He served as President of the Board of Trade under Lord Liverpool (F)

He opposed the extension of the franchise in 1832 (T)

He was at the Home Office in the 1820`s (T) Home Secretary

He was educated at Harrow and Oxford (T)

O`Connell said his smile was like the gleam on the silver plate of a coffin lid (T)

FEEDBACK Homework: Peel and the Corn LawsRead pages 148-149 and identify these 5 factors; rank order them and decide which one you think is the most important.

1. Peels gradual conversion (Irish Famine, need to promote manufacturing prosperity)

2. Irish Famine

3. Success of budgetary and tariff reforms (their successes convinced Peel that further reform would stimulate industry)

4. An opportunity to restore confidence in the political system

5. the appeal of the Anti-Corn Law League

Use pages 149-150 to find out :-

6. Why Peel was forced to resign?Peel had been elected in 1841 on a commitment to retain the Corn Laws. Repeal would not only be a breach of aristocratic confidence but also a rejection of the electorates wishes. Not surprisingly a majority of the cabinet opposed Peels policy and he had no alternative but to resign dec 1845.

2. What role Disraeli played in his downfall?

Put forward a protectionist case which claimed Peel had betrayed confidence of his

party and exaggerated the famine. Made personal attacks on Peel.

3. Why did the repeal of the Corn Laws split the Conservative Party?

2/3 of his own Party voted against him, he relied on Whig votes, Peelite faction of

Conservatives.

Work in pairs to prepare to argue that the Repeal of the Corn Laws was a disaster for the Conservative Party.Now prepare to argue that the repeal was a bonus for the new Liberal PartyHow could you argue that the

Liberal Party was also facing problems?

How did the repeal of the Corn Laws affect the Conservatives

and the Liberals?

Argue that the Repeal of the Corn Laws was a disaster for the Conservative Party.• Caused a split between ‘Ultra-Tories’ and Peelites• Problems with leadership as Peel accused of treachery

and Bentinck lacked ability, Disraeli didn’t have support or party (Jewish and ostentatious style), Lord Derby lack of plan.

• Altered Parliamentary balance and threw Party Politics into disarray

• Unable to hold a government – statistics 1857 – 140 Anti-Conservative majority, minority gov. but never lasted long.

• Forced back to traditional strongholds e.g. countryside, lacked the capitals support.

• Didn’t appeal to middle classes• 1841 – 74 Conservatives did not win a single general

election.

How did the repeal of the Corn Laws affect the Conservatives

and the Liberals?

Argue that the repeal was a bonus for the new Liberal Party• Whigs, Radicals, Irish and Peelites came together to

form new Liberal Party• 1841 – 74 Conservatives did not win a single general

election.• There were some broad areas of agreement such as

free trade and support of Liberal and Nationalist governments in Europe

• Strength of local gov increasing (rank and file)• Strength of Non-Conformist organisations• Willis’ room meeting 1859 – stability and foundations of

Liberal Party • Gave Liberals office BUT also started their growth as an

identifiable and understood group• Encouraged men of ability, experience and talent into

Liberal rank e.g. Gladstone• Middle-class background and wanted a more active role

for government

How did the repeal of the Corn Laws affect the Conservatives

and the Liberals?

Argue that the Liberal Party was also facing problems• 1850s still led t0 instability of governments• Tensions between leaders – Whig (Conservative) and

Radicals clashed, Gladstone (Peel), Palmerston (Whig) commit to alliance (Liberal)

• Peelites failed to fully commit to alliance • Governments continued to collapse after failures of

crucial votes in Parliament – looseness of part discipline showed

• Splits between ‘Old’ and ‘New’ Nation and MPs and Rank and File

• Potential for a split similar to that suffered by Conservatives

• Potential splits in ideology, attitude and policy

How did the repeal of the Corn Laws affect the Conservatives

and the Liberals?

The effect on Political Parties

Homework• Use Section 6, from page 231,

to complete this task.• Explain why the Conservatives

were unable to win elections after 1846. Aim to give 3 well explained reasons.

Get into groups 3 or 4

• Must be a mix of boys and girls• Choose your group carefully – who is good

at researching? Feeding back? Organising? • Get out your homework which was the

double bubble on Gladstone and Disraeli and the multi-flow map on Repeal of the Corn Laws

Review• Use the Flow Map to identify the causes

and effects of the repeal of the Corn Laws.

Main Event

Repeal of Corn Laws

Causes Effect

How did the Liberal Party develop after 1846?

Who were they? What were their views?

Areas of conflict Areas of agreement

Whigs

Peelites

Radicals

What was the background of most Liberal

MP`s?

Who were the main supporters

of the Liberal Party ?

What did Non-Conformists

want ?

Largest group aristocratic

• Reform to conserve (slowly)

• Defended national interests in foreign policy

• Favourable to religious toleration

• Between radicals – Palmerston did not want more Parliamentary Reform

• Reform • Free trade• Support for

Liberal/nationalist movements in Europe

Gladstone Aberdeen No effective leaderSir James Graham

• Favoured a more active role for government in politics

• No coherent philosophy

• Supported measures of Russell 1846 - 52

• Policy • Thought Whigs

were inferior administrators

• Disagreed with foreign policy

• Free Trade

Big influence in Liberal Party

• Sympathetic to Chartism

• Concerned with Factory Reform or religious disabilities

• Wanted more democracy

• Criticised Palmerston and Russell over government

• Opposed aristocratic government

• Free trade

Assessment: Explain the growth of political parties 1832 – 1846.