Summary

The lesson looks at struggle for the vote in SU3: Wales and Industrial Britain. In particular, it allows the students to investigate the reaction in Wales in 1839 when Parliament rejected a Chartist petition signed by 3,317,702 people.

Suitable for

Year 9

Prior learning

Some understanding of the parliamentary system in the 19^th century would be essential before tackling this lesson. In particular the background to the passing of the 1832 Reform Act.

Aims and objectives

• understand the demands of the Chartists
  
  
• understand the difference between Moral Force and Physical Force Chartists
  
  
• understand what happened in Newport on November 4, 1839
  
  
• understand the different methods used by the Chartists to get the vote
  
  
• understand the different methods used by the opponents of Chartism to prevent working men from getting the vote

Timings

As long as the prior learning has taken place, the activities should only take a single lesson.

Further activity suggestions

Explore the short-term and long-term consequences of Parliament's decision to reject the Chartist petition in 1839.

Research and write a short biography of John Frost and Henry Vincent.

Investigate the occurrence of political riots and disturbances in your local area in the 19^th century.

Compare the impact in Wales of the Parliament Reform Acts in 1867, 1872, 1883, 1884 and 1885.
Use the sources as a basis for further study of the Chartists.

Curriculum links

Study Unit 3 Wales in Industrial Britain c.1760-c.1914

Extension Unit 5A Study of a historical issue or topic in a local context