Anti Corn Law League Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Why were Corn Laws introduced, who did they help and who did they hurt?

To control the price of wheat; helped landowners and hurt the poor.

What did the Anti Corn Law League use to protest?

Pamphlets in penny post and newspapers.

The Anti Corn Law League was the best organized protest ever?

True.

What happened when there were bad harvests and what did Parliament do and when?

There was famine which led the Prime Minister to convince Parliament to repeal the Corn Laws in 1846. Signup and view all the answers

What caused the Anti Corn Law League to organise?

Overpriced wheat and the desire for lower living costs. Signup and view all the answers

What were the aims of the Anti Corn Law League?

Decrease the price of wheat and get rid of the Corn Laws. Signup and view all the answers

Did the Anti Corn Law League succeed?

Yes, the Corn Laws were repealed, but it didn't have the devastating effect on price of wheat as expected. Signup and view all the answers

Why did they succeed?

Increase in population and normal wheat prices meant farmers and landowners didn't suffer; they were led by the middle class. Signup and view all the answers

Who repealed the Corn Laws?

Robert Peel - Prime Minister. Signup and view all the answers

Who led the Anti Corn Law League?

Richard Cobden and John Bright. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Corn Laws

Introduced to control wheat prices; primarily benefitted landowners while harming the poor.

Anti Corn Law League's Protest Tactics

Used pamphlets via the penny post for widespread reach and mobilized newspapers for awareness.

League's Organizational Status

Recognized as one of the most organized protests in British history.

Impact of Bad Harvests

Poor harvests led to famine, prompting Prime Minister's intervention for the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846.

Causes of the League's Formation

High wheat prices prompted demands for cheaper bread, lowering living costs, and increasing spending on industrial goods for manufacturer support.

League's Objectives

Aimed to lower wheat prices to provide economic benefits and abolish the Corn Laws.

Success of the League

Although the repeal occurred, it did not dramatically affect wheat prices as anticipated.

Reasons for Success

Population growth and stabilized wheat prices mitigated farmer and landowner suffering; movement led by the influential middle class.

Key Figure in the Repeal

The repeal of the Corn Laws was executed by Prime Minister Robert Peel.

Leadership of the League

Led by notable figures Richard Cobden and John Bright, who were instrumental in the league's strategies and outreach.

Description

Explore the key concepts of the Anti Corn Law League with this flashcard quiz. Learn about the origins of the corn laws, the beneficiaries and victims, and the methods used for protest. Test your knowledge on one of the most organized movements in history.