Statement I : Chartism was the political reform campaign for democrati

Statement I : Chartism was the political reform campaign for democratic rights which swept over Britain between 1838 and 1848.
Statement II : The trade union move ment declined by the 1830s as it failed to fulfil the aspirations of the working class.

Both the statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I
Both the statements are individually true but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I
Statement I is true but Statement II is false
Statement I is false but Statement II is true
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2016
Statement I: Chartism was the political reform campaign for democratic rights which swept over Britain between 1838 and 1848. (True)
Statement II: The trade union movement declined by the 1830s as it failed to fulfil the aspirations of the working class. (False)
Statement I is true but Statement II is false.
– Chartism was a significant working-class movement in Britain from 1838 to 1848, advocating for the People’s Charter, which demanded political reforms like universal male suffrage, secret ballot, and annual parliaments.
– The trade union movement faced challenges and setbacks in the early 19th century, including legal restrictions (like the Combination Acts until 1824/25) and failed general strikes (like the Grand National Consolidated Trades Union in 1834). However, it did not simply “decline” by the 1830s or entirely fail the working class; it continued in various forms and saw periods of growth and influence later in the century. Chartism itself emerged partly because existing political and economic structures, including the effectiveness of trade unions at that specific juncture, were deemed insufficient by many workers.
– While trade unions faced difficulties and periods of suppression, they continued to exist and organize, particularly in specific crafts and industries. The period saw complex interactions between nascent political movements like Chartism and ongoing efforts at workers’ organization through trade unions.
– Statement II’s assertion that the trade union movement “declined by the 1830s” and “failed to fulfil aspirations” is an oversimplification and historically inaccurate representation of the multifaceted and evolving nature of the trade union movement during that era.