London Chartism 1838–1848

This book is the first full-length study of metropolitan Chartism.

David Goodway (Author)

9780521893640, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 10 October 2002

352 pages
22.8 x 15.1 x 2.3 cm, 0.515 kg

This book, the first full-length study of metropolitan Chartism, provides extensive new material for the 1840s and establishes the regional and national importance of the London movement throughout this decade. After an opening section which considers the economic and social structure of early-Victorian London, and provides an occupational breakdown of Chartists, Dr Goodway turns to the three main components of the metropolitan movement: its organized form; the crowd; and the trades. The development of London Chartism is correlated to economic fluctuations, and, after the nationally significant failure of London to respond in 1838–9, 1842 is seen as a peak in terms of conventional organization, and 1848 as the high point of turbulence and revolutionary potential. The section concludes with an exposition of the insurrectionary plans of 1848.

List of tables
List of illustrations
Preface
Acknowledgments
Map
Part I. The Character of London and its Chartism: 1. Some aspects of London in the Chartist period
2. The metropolitan economy
3. A profile of London Chartism
Part II. The Course of Events: 4. The political background to Chartism
5. 1838–1840: apathetic London
6. 1840–1842: The success of London Chartism
7. 1843–1847: difficult years
8. The Irish
9. 1848: turbulent London
Part III. Disturbance and the Maintenance of Order: 10. Metropolis and police
11. Riot
12. Riot: the maintenance of order
13. The great meetings of 1848
14. The great meetings: the maintenance of order
Part IV. The Trades: 15. Introduction
16. The boot and shoemakers
17. The tailors
18. The building trades
19. The silk-weavers
20. The metal trades
21. The furniture trades
22. The hatters
23. The leather trades
24. The printing and book trades
25. The jewellery trades and watchmaking
26. The riverside trades
27. The bakers
28. The linen drapers' assistants - and other non-manual workers
29. Labourers
Conclusion
Appendices
Notes
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH], British & Irish history [HBJD1]