Chartism, << CHAR tihz uhm >>, was a political movement of the British working class during the early 1800’s. It tried to win voting rights for all men and to reform the House of Commons. The movement took its name from its Charter of 1838, which set forth six points: (1) universal manhood suffrage, (2) a secret ballot, (3) no property qualifications for members of Parliament, (4) salaries for members of Parliament, (5) annual elections, and (6) equal electoral districts. The movement did not achieve these points, but all except the fifth were later adopted. In addition, the movement demonstrated that the working class could be organized on a massive scale. See also Labour Party.
