Chartism was a working-class movement for political reform in Britain which existed from 1838 to 1850 and which took its name from the People's Charter of 1838. It was a national protest movement, with particular strongholds of support in the north of England, the east Midlands, the Potteries, the Black Country and south Wales. Support for the movement was at its highest in 1839, 1842 and 1848 when petitions signed by millions of working people were presented to the House of Commons. Chartism relied on constitutional methods to secure its aims, though there were some who became involved in insurrectionary activities, notably in south Wales and Yorkshire.
Chartism can be interpreted as a continuation of the 18th century fight against corruption and for democracy in an industrial society, but it attracted more support than the radical groups of that time, and economic causes of support for the movement.
The People's Charter called for six reforms to make the political system more democratic:
1. A vote for every man twenty-one years of age, of sound mind, and not undergoing punishment for a crime.
2. The Secret Ballot – To protect the elector in the exercise of his vote.
3. No Property Qualification for Members of Parliament.
4. Payment of Members, thus enabling an honest trades-man, working man, or other person; when taken from his business to attend to the interests of the country.
5. Equal Constituencies, securing the same amount of representation for the same number of electors, instead of allowing small constituencies to swamp the votes of large ones.
6. Annual Parliament Elections, thus present the most effectual check to bribery and intimidation.
