Key Events- Corn Laws (1815)

The Corn Laws were tariffs put on the British which taxed the imports and exports of grain and other food. This was put in place to keep the grain prices higher in Britain which would benefit domestic producers. The government were able to make more money through these taxes.

Why they Were Imposed 

• Government were urging the British to buy British corn
• High tariffs on trading corn meant people would want to buy locally sourced corn as it would be cheaper
• British farmers were otherwise losing out to the cheaper corn from abroad

Consequences 

• Price of bread increased- angered the working class who depended on it for their food
• Petitions flooded into Parliament and rioting broke out
• Factory owners complained that because of the higher prices of bread wages would have to be raised 
• The landowners who supported the scheme claimed that it represented all agricultural interests and were in favour of the British public 
• Some regard it as a selfish move by Parliament which would protect themselves and was unfair on the working classes who were on the brink of famine- caused rioting amongst the poorer classes
• Britain saw a period of civil unrest unparalleled to the past- government only responded with harsher measures
• Others see it as the ministers ensuring food was in sufficient supply for the rising population, arguing it was only meant as a temporary solution to avoid the the effects of the post- war prices slumping further. They believe the government was acting in the interest of the people, but in the long term.