Causes+and+effects+of+the+repeal+of+the+Corn+Laws.

__**The Repeal of the Corn Laws 1846**__
__ What were they....? __
 * Landowners passed a law which placed a tariff on cheaply imported corn in order to protect home indries = artificial inflation.
 * High profit for land owners and high cost parish relief (couldn't afford the basics).

__ Causes.... __
 * Success depended on good harvests - bad harvests in Ireland caused a famine/national emergency and so Peel decided to let food in without tariffs but it was too late - occasion rather than the cause.
 * Economic downturn - many were unable to feed their families - Peel attempted to act fast.
 * Planned decision - Peel knew that unless population growth ceased that he would have to repeal them - the ACLL and Irish famine provided the right political opportunity.
 * The ACLL - caused discontent amongst the working classes by cutting their wages to attempt to cause a revolution - threat to the government. The members were also granted the vote (middle class) - pushed Peel to reform.
 * The 1842 budget - reduction of tariffs ld to increased employment and sustained production.

__ Effects...... __
 * Bread prices increased which led to a depression = 1850 corn cost 52 shillings.
 * Farmers in the USA and Russia were able to export vast amounts of cheap corn because of cheap labour and modern farming equipment.
 * All countries bar GB and Belgium increased their tariffs.
 * 1885 - Corn growing decreased by a million acres in a few years after the repeal.
 * Peel and the Cabinet couldn't get the party to accept the repeal.
 * Caused mass influx of cheap foreign wheat = mass unemployment.
 * Caused the split of the party - the whole thing fell apart = Fall of Peel's ministry.

__ ACLL..... __
 * A league that challenged protectionist practices in the UK - founded in Manchester in 1838.
 * They wanted to establish free trade and decrease the price of food.
 * They also believed that stronger commercial bonds between the UK and other countries would help ensure peace.
 * Effective, efficient, organised and cultivated the support of some MPs.
 * Got 24 MPs into parliament.
 * Paid £500 to join.
 * Most influencial members: Gobden and Bright.