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Difficulty: EasySocialist, Communist, and Reformist Reactions to Industrialization

"We find ourselves overwhelmed with public and private suffering. ... Our merchants are on the brink of ruin; our manufacturers are trembling for their existence; our workmen are starving... We demand that in the future election of members of parliament, the voting shall be taken by secret ballot... and that the franchise [right to vote] shall be extended to every male citizen."

— National Petition of the Chartists, Great Britain, 1838

Which of the following was the primary goal of the reformers who wrote this petition?

  1. A
    To establish a mercantilist system that restricted all trade to overseas colonies.
  2. B
    To launch a violent revolution to overthrow capitalism and abolish private property.
  3. To obtain democratic political reforms to help resolve the economic struggles of the working class.Answer
  4. D
    To return the national economy to a medieval feudal structure dominated by rural lords.

Answer

To obtain democratic political reforms to help resolve the economic struggles of the working class.
The correct answer is correct because the Chartists represented a reformist reaction to industrialization. They believed that by obtaining democratic political reforms—such as universal male suffrage and the secret ballot—working-class citizens would gain representation in Parliament, enabling them to pass laws to relieve their economic distress.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the stimulus document for clues about the authors' identity and goals.
The text is from the British Chartist Petition of 1838, which describes severe economic suffering ("workmen are starving") and demands political changes ("secret ballot", "franchise... extended to every male citizen").
Understanding the source and context helps identify the core motives of the reformers.
2
Evaluate the options to see which aligns with the demands in the text.
The demand for male suffrage and secret ballots represents democratic political reform aimed at giving workers a voice to correct industrial economic hardships.
This matches the definition of reformist reactions to industrialization, which sought to use the state's legislative system to improve society.

Key Concept

Reformist Reactions to Industrialization
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Socialist, Communist, and Reformist Reactions to Industrialization

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