Richard Cobden And The Corn Laws Repealed

Richard Cobden was an important man in the British history of the 19th century. He was theleader of Anti-Corn Law Campaign, and helped bring about the repeal of Corn Laws. This is oneof his greatest successes. The repeal of Corn Laws terminated the economic policy ofmercantilism, and the free trade system was established. From then on, the free trade age began.Besides, the repeal of Corn Laws stroke a heavy blow at the economic dominance of landedaristocrat, and some of their economic interests lost the state protection. The claim of middleclasses to legislation was accomplished, which reflected their rising power. The thesis tries towidely discuss Richard Cobden and the Anti-Corn Law Campaign as well as the repeal of CornLaws.The first chapter presents the life and the ideas of Cobden. Cobden was a successful merchantin Manchester. He studied by himself, and wrote some tracts which brought him public praise. In1839, he founded Anti-Corn Law League, and led the Anti-Corn Law Campaign. In 1841, hebecame a MP, and played an important role. After the repeal of Corn Laws, he committedhimself to the social reforms. He argued against the wars of the Crimean War and The SecondOpium War. In 1860, he was responsible for negotiating a free trade treaty with France. Thischapter also summarizes his ideas. He advocated the free trade and believed that the free tradewould help prevent the governments from making the war. He opposed the aristocratic oligarchy,while he didn't trust in democracy. In foreign policy, he called for "non-intervention principle",and claimed to reduce the military expenditure. And he advocated systemic national education.The second chapter describes the Corn Laws firstly, especially its modification in the first halfof the 19th century and the debates in the society. Then the Anti-Corn Law League was founded.The leader, the constitution, the fund, the nature and the dissolution of the league are unfolded inthis chapter. The activities of the league under Cobden's leadership are sorted into: the annualmotion in the parliament, the propaganda, the election campaign, the speaking in parliament, thefreehold campaign. Finally, this chapter summarizes the features of these activities.The third chapter reviews the story of the repeal of Corn Laws. It tells the cause of the repeal(the famine of Ireland), the standpoint and action of Whig and Tory, specially the change ofPeel's attitude and his measures, the actions of the League, the game of all kinds of powers, andthe situation of the vote. Then, this chapter analyses the reasons of the repeal. The thesis draws aconclusion similar to the traditional view through the analysis of the vote in the parliament. Atthe same time, the thesis admits some other reasons, and presents my opinions. Finally, thischapter summarizes the effects of the repeal: a blow at the nobility, the building of the free tradesystem, and the booming of the economy.In the epilogue, the thesis discusses several questions about Cobden and the repeal: 1. the roleof Cobden and Peel in the repeal of Corn Laws; 2. Comparison between the actual results of therepeal and the results Cobden considered. 3. The discussion about whether Cobden was radicalor conservative.