Richard Cobden

Extract

[...] Even when faced with an economic disaster of such magnitude, the aristocracy had no desire to opt for a different policy. The economic situation, and especially inflation, was indeed beneficial to them: there were more farmers than plots, soils the dividends of rents were flourishing. While protectionism became widespread and British economy was declining, in 1838, the Anti-Corn Laws League emerged. II) Richard Cobden and the Anti-Corn Law League Cobden's life Richard Cobden was born on 1804 and died on 1865. His parents had eleven children and he spent his early life in extreme poverty. [...]

[...] Cobden also advocated a policy of free trade, low taxation, reduced military spending and an improvement in the system of education. In 1837 Richard Cobden became a member of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce and joined in the agitation that resulted in Manchester achieving a democratically elected local council. In 1838 Cobden was one if the first men to be elected as a Manchester alderman. The following year Cobden and the Manchester Anti-Corn Law Association presented a petition to Parliament. [...]

[...] In 1841 General Election the leader of the Anti-Corn Law League, Richard Cobden became the MP for Stockport. Although Cobden continued to tour the country making speeches against the Corn Laws, he was now in a position to constantly remind the British government that reform was needed. Cobden was now able to organize a national campaign in favour of reform. Cobden recruited a number of talented speakers to the movement. The economic depression of 1840-1842 increased membership of the Anti- Corn Law League and Richard Cobden and John Bright spoke to very large audiences all over the country. [...]