There was growing discontent among the working-class population in Britain during the 1830s. The electoral system was corrupt and unrepresentative, and the poor had to endure harsh working conditions with low pay.
Moral Force Chartism led by William Lovett wanted to achieve reform through peaceful protest and presented petitions to Parliament.
Physical Force Chartism led by Feargus O'Connor felt that only a violent campaign would achieve the vote for all men. He gave speeches about how Chartists should be prepared to die for the cause. His speeches became more threatening as time went by.
The Six Points of the People's Charter
A vote for every man over 21 years of age
Secret ballot (instead of the system for voting in public)
MPs do not have to own property
MPs will be paid
Equal voting constituencies
An election every year for Parliament
All Chartists believed in the Six Points of the People's Charter and that every man over 21 in Britain should have the right to vote.
Chartists did disagree over other things such as the length of the working day, however. Chartists were also divided about the methods they should use to get the vote.
