📜✨ The Newport Chartists – Fighting for Fairness! 🚩🏛
A long time ago, not everyone in Britain had the right to vote. Some people thought this was unfair and wanted change! In 1839, a brave group of people called the Newport Chartists fought for fairer voting rights in Wales and the UK. Let’s find out what happened! 🗳🔥
What Was Chartism? 📜
In the 1800s, only rich men were allowed to vote in elections. Ordinary workers had no say in how the country was run, which was very unfair!
The Chartists were a group of people who wanted fairer voting rights. They wrote a list of demands called the People’s Charter. This is where the name “Chartists” comes from!
What Did the Chartists Want? 🗳
The Chartists wanted six big changes to make voting fair for everyone:
1️⃣ All men should be allowed to vote – Not just rich men!
2️⃣ Votes should be secret – So no one could be forced to vote a certain way.
3️⃣ Anyone could become an MP – Not just rich people!
4️⃣ MPs should be paid – So poor people could afford to do the job.
5️⃣ Voting should happen every year – To stop unfair governments.
6️⃣ Each area should have an equal number of MPs – So every vote was worth the same.
At that time, women were not included in the People’s Charter – but later, many women also fought for the right to vote! 💪
The Newport Rising – What Happened? 🔥🏛
📆 On 4th November 1839, about 4,000 Chartists marched into Newport, Wales, led by John Frost.
🚶♂️ They walked from the valleys to Newport to demand the release of Chartist prisoners.
🏛 They arrived at the Westgate Hotel, where soldiers were waiting.
🔥 A fight broke out between the Chartists and the soldiers.
⚔️ Over 20 Chartists were killed, and many more were arrested.
The Newport Rising was the last large-scale rebellion in Britain.
What Happened After the Rising? 📜
🚢 John Frost and other leaders were arrested and sent to prison in Australia.
📜 The government ignored the Chartists’ demands at first.
🗳 But over time, people realised the Chartists were right!
Today, most of the six Chartist demands have come true, and now all men and women over 18 can vote in the UK!
The Newport Chartists helped change history! 🎉
Why Are the Chartists Important? 🤔
The Chartists were brave people who stood up for fairness and democracy. Thanks to them:
✔ Ordinary people can now vote and have a say in politics.
✔ MPs are paid, so anyone can become a politician, not just the rich.
✔ Voting is secret, so no one can be bullied into choosing a certain leader.
The Newport Chartists helped create the fairer voting system we have today! 🗳🏛
Fun Facts About the Newport Chartists! 🤩
✔ The Chartist march in 1839 was the biggest rebellion in Wales in the 1800s! 🚶♂️🔥
✔ John Frost was sentenced to death but was later sent to Australia instead.
✔ There is a statue of the Chartists in Newport to remember them! 🏛
✔ The word “Chartism” comes from the People’s Charter – the list of demands! 📜
What Can You Do? 🎨📖
📖 Write a speech about why voting is important!
🎨 Draw a poster about the Chartists’ fight for fairness!
🔍 Explore Newport and find the Chartist statue!
The Chartists fought for fairness and democracy – and thanks to them, everyone’s voice matters today! 🗳✨
