What was Corn Law?
The corn law was established in the United Kingdom between the years 1815 and 1846. These laws were certain tariffs as well as trade restrictions that were imposed on corn and other forms of imported foods in the United Kingdom. The word corn denotes all the important cereal grains such as barley, wheat, and oats.
These tariffs and restrictions were created in order to increase the prices of grains so that the domestic producers would be favored. This was a classic example of British mercantilism. Due to the corn law, most of the import activities related to cheap corn and other grains were blocked. Importation below a particular set price was banned in the United Kingdom. Here, we are going to learn important details such as the corn law British history, the repeal, and the abolishment of the corn law.
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Corn Law British History
The main idea behind the enforcement of the corn laws was the enhancement of political power and profits that were closely associated with ownership of land. These laws would raise the prices of food which in turn led to the increase of the living costs for the general public. Not to mention that these laws also had a very important role to play in the hampering of the economic sector in the United Kingdom. That is one of the main reasons why the corn laws faced a lot of opposition from the different urban groups who didn’t have much political power in the first place. Aside from that, the 1st 2 years of the Great Famine that occurred in England led to the opposition with a new force due to the need for more food supplies in the people.
Why Were Corn Laws Introduced?
According to the corn law British History, England has regulated the prices on grain since the 17th century. However, the corn laws were established in the year 1815 according to the people. When the French wars came to an end, a resolution was passed by the legislation that no foreign grain could be imported into Britain until the prices of the grains would rise. These high prices led to an increase in the cost of food as well. It also negatively impacted the scenario in the domestic market too. Since most people spent their major share of money on food instead of commodities, the manufacturing industries also suffered some huge losses as well. Not to mention that these laws also disturbed the working-class people in the towns.
In the year 1832, several revisions were made to the corn laws by the government of Duke of Wellington. There was an introduction of the sliding scale that allowed the importing of foreign corn when the domestic price would be up to 73/- per quarter. When the price of the domestic grain fell below the figure, the duty would be increased. This reform didn’t really do much to help the manufacturers as well as the people. The 1832 Reform act was responsible for providing most of the proportion of corn to the middle class. Manufacturers also had more importance when it came to the governance of the United Kingdom and hence people had to take their opinions into consideration.
Why Were Corn Laws Abolished?
With the formation of the Anti-Corn Law Associated which was set up in London in the year 1836, there was some hope for the abolishment of the corn laws. However, they didn’t have much success in the beginning and the organization was demolished after some time. However, the reformation of the association happened again in the year 1838 in a place called Manchester. The association was renamed the Anti-Corn Law League or the ACLL. Most of the members who were a part of the movement were the ones belonging to the middle-class group. These people were merchants, bankers, manufacturers, as well as traders. They wanted the repealing of the corn laws and hence a nationwide campaign was organized. Finally, the association achieved success when the corn laws were abolished in 1846, after getting direct orders from Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel.
What Happened After The Corn Laws Were Abolished?
After the abolishment of the corn laws happened, a new era of free trade began in the United Kingdom. All the tariffs, as well as the restrictions on the importing of foreign corn, were removed and hence the domestic market also had a change in the scenery. However, there was also a flood of imported food in the markets of the United Kingdom. Due to that, agriculture in Britain suffered some losses because it was not able to compete properly with these imports. Hence, the cultivation sector was abandoned in most of the agricultural fields of the United Kingdom. Most of the farmers also migrated to the urban regions in search of better employment opportunities.
FAQs on Corn Law
1. What were the Corn Laws in 19th-century Britain?
The Corn Laws were a series of tariffs and trade restrictions imposed in Great Britain between 1815 and 1846. Their primary purpose was to restrict the import of foreign grain, referred to as “corn.” This was done to keep domestic grain prices high, thereby protecting the profits of the landed aristocracy and local farmers from cheaper international competition.
2. Why were the Corn Laws abolished in 1846?
The Corn Laws were abolished due to a combination of social, economic, and political pressures. Key reasons include:
- Pressure from Urban Populations: Industrialists and urban dwellers were unhappy with high food prices, which reduced disposable income and forced employers to pay higher wages.
- The Anti-Corn Law League: A powerful political movement led by figures like Richard Cobden and John Bright successfully campaigned for the repeal of the laws, arguing for the benefits of free trade.
- The Irish Potato Famine: The famine, which began in 1845, created an urgent humanitarian crisis and made the case for importing cheap food undeniable, compelling Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel to push for repeal.
3. What were the main consequences of abolishing the Corn Laws?
The abolition of the Corn Laws led to significant changes in the British economy and society. With the removal of import tariffs, food could be imported more cheaply, which led to lower food prices. This benefited the urban working class and boosted industrial growth. However, it had a negative impact on the agricultural sector, as British farmers could not compete with inexpensive imports. This resulted in many farmers abandoning their land, leading to rural unemployment and increased migration to cities in search of work.
4. How did the Corn Laws specifically affect industrialists and the working class?
For the working class, the Corn Laws meant that a large portion of their wages was spent on expensive staple foods like bread, leaving little for other goods. For industrialists, high food prices meant they had to pay higher wages to their workers, which increased production costs and made British manufactured goods less competitive on the global market. Therefore, both groups strongly opposed the laws and supported the move towards free trade.
5. What was the role and importance of the Anti-Corn Law League?
The Anti-Corn Law League was a highly successful political movement formed in 1838 with the single objective of repealing the Corn Laws. It brought together industrialists, merchants, and the middle class who argued that the laws harmed the British economy. Through mass meetings, pamphlets, and effective lobbying, it demonstrated the growing political influence of the industrial middle class over the traditional landed gentry. Its success is considered a major victory for the principle of free trade.
6. Which groups supported the Corn Laws and why?
The primary supporters of the Corn Laws were the landed gentry and wealthy farmers. These groups owned most of the agricultural land in Britain. The laws protected them from foreign competition by artificially keeping the price of grain high. This ensured their agricultural profits remained stable and high, preserving their economic and political dominance in the country.
7. How did the repeal of the Corn Laws relate to the Irish Famine?
The Irish Potato Famine created the political urgency that finally led to the repeal of the Corn Laws. However, it's a misconception that the repeal solved the famine. The repeal in 1846 was too little, too late for Ireland. The core problem was the complete failure of the potato crop, the primary food source for the poor, and the British government's inadequate relief efforts. While the repeal allowed for cheaper grain imports, it did not resolve the mass starvation caused by the potato blight and flawed government policy.
