Chartism

[ chahr-tiz-uhm ]

noun

1. the principles or movement of a party of political reformers, chiefly workingmen, in England from 1838 to 1848: so called from the document People's Charter, or National Charter that contained a statement of their principles and demands.

Chartism

/ ˈtʃɑːˌtɪzəm /

noun

1. British history the principles of the reform movement in Britain from 1838 to 1848, which included manhood suffrage, payment of Members of Parliament, equal electoral districts, annual parliaments, voting by ballot, and the abolition of property qualifications for MPs

Derived Forms

• ˈChartist, nounadjective

Other Words From

• Chartist noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Chartism¹

First recorded in 1830–40; chart “charter” (now obsolete) + -ism; charta, -ism

Word History and Origins

Origin of Chartism¹

named after the People's Charter, a document which stated their aims

Example Sentences

Chartism encouraged the working class to direct its energy toward gathering as many signatures as possible.

From New York Times

Mass movements, as opposed to episodic uprisings, are historically recent phenomena, epitomized by the abolitionist movement, starting in the 18th century, and by the rise of Chartism and feminism in the 19th.

From Salon

It was a time of evolving humanitarian and social philosophies, when the Chartism movement aimed to gain political rights and influence for the working classes.

From BBC

Luddites rioted against technology, ordinary people protested for political rights under the banner of Chartism, and more than 1m Irish starved in potato famines.

From Economist

From the days of Chartism and Progressivism to the civil-rights era, such movements have rarely triumphed in national elections.

From The New Yorker