How far were the Anti Corn Law League responsible for Peel's repeal of the Corn Laws?

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How far was The Anti Corn Law League responsible for the repeal of the Corn Laws?

The Anti Corn Law League’s part in the resolve over the issue of repeal was due chiefly to their mighty effort in drawing mass attention to the subject, bringing it to the forefront of the political agenda. They had one aim – to see to the complete removal of the tariff on corn. Led by dynamic and intelligent politicians, the league organised themselves using new and innovative ways to spread their message.  They capitalised on the contemporary social, economic and religious discontent of the lower and middle classes, of which the Corn Laws were felt as being imposed at their expense. Armed with the interest to relieve social distress and a potential ‘class war’ the league did all it could outside and inside Parliament to pressurise Peel. Peel’s need for ‘good government’ swept the beliefs of the pressure group into the political tide; the famine in Ireland, Peel’s own party politics and Britain’s international stance were all factors included in the decision of repeal. It was by no means that Peel’s ultimate decision was the fruit of the Anti Corn Law League’s labour alone.

      The Anti-Corn Law League was founded by Richard Cobden and John Bright in 1839 Both of these men believed in the idea of Free Trade, where no import taxes should be levied whatsoever. The Corn Laws protected the land interest of the elite and therefore the campaign of repeal through economic reform, would lift social distress as those ready to acknowledge and break this social divide would be placated .in an age when each class knew their place in society. Industrialists agreed as the Corn Laws meant that wages had to rise to keep pace with the price of bread. They shared the belief that repeal meant cheaper bread, lower wages, increased trade and thus greater profits.

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     The Anti-Corn-Law League modelled themselves on the Irish Catholic Association led by Daniel O’Connell. Between 1841 and 1845 the League grew into a strong political force. Creating discontent, they resorted to encouraging factory-owning ACLL members to cut wages and lower working hours. They published pamphlets, printed the League’s own popular journal – the Anti Corn Law Circular, sent out packs to every enfranchised man on the issue of repeal, held lectures run by academics, threw bazaars where one could purchase their merchandise and even produced labeled clothes. By taking advantage of the rise in new communication; the use ...

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