The Chartist Movement and the Failure of the Reform Act of 1832

The Great Reform Act did not deliver what the political unionists had demanded. There was a great sense of disappointment, betrayal to use your word and disillusionment as well that having forced the hand of government they were then left empty handed if you like. In the first place this had been a shared campaign. It was a true cross-class alliance but it was the middle classes who were enfranchised as a result of that campaign. They were campaigning primarily for democratic reform but they were also looking for social and economic change.