Share this Article on Facebook Twitter Submit this article to Reddit Give this article a thumbs-up on StumbleUpon

Birmingham Political Union

Birmingham Political Union

The Oxford Companion to British History | 2002 | | Copyright

Birmingham Political Union. Formed in 1830 by Thomas Attwood to press for parliamentary reform as a remedy for economic distress and inspired by the successful campaign for catholic emancipation. Led by local businessmen and manufacturers, the BPU aimed to unite middle- and working-class reformers in a programme of peaceful and orderly change based on currency reform and household suffrage. It rapidly became a preponderant factor in Birmingham political life; and as the Reform Bill crisis deepened, the BPU organized a series of huge reform demonstrations, becoming the pattern for similar political unions elsewhere. After the passing of the 1832 Reform Bill, the BPU fell apart and was virtually dissolved in 1834. A revival came in 1837, but the BPU was soon swallowed up by chartism, which possessed a more powerful working-class dynamic.

John F. C. Harrison
Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

JOHN CANNON. "Birmingham Political Union." The Oxford Companion to British History. 2002. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN CANNON. "Birmingham Political Union." The Oxford Companion to British History. 2002. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O110-BirminghamPoliticalUnion.html

JOHN CANNON. "Birmingham Political Union." The Oxford Companion to British History. 2002. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O110-BirminghamPoliticalUnion.html

Learn more about citation styles

Birmingham Political Union

A Dictionary of British History | 2004 | | Copyright

Birmingham Political Union Formed in 1830 by Thomas Attwood to press for parliamentary reform as a remedy for economic distress. Led by local businessmen and manufacturers, the BPU aimed to unite middle‐ and working‐class reformers in a programme based on currency reform and household suffrage. After the passing of the 1832 Reform Bill, the BPU fell apart and was virtually dissolved in 1834.
Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

JOHN CANNON. "Birmingham Political Union." A Dictionary of British History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN CANNON. "Birmingham Political Union." A Dictionary of British History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O43-BirminghamPoliticalUnion.html

JOHN CANNON. "Birmingham Political Union." A Dictionary of British History. 2004. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O43-BirminghamPoliticalUnion.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

Gisela goes into bat for historic name; BIRMINGHAM MAIL POLITICAL EDITOR.(News)
Newspaper article from: Birmingham Mail (England); 10/19/2011
THE BIRMINGHAM POST: Political loss.(Leaders)(Financial report)
Newspaper article from: The Birmingham Post (England); 9/27/2007
the way to political union.
Newspaper article from: The Birmingham Post (England); 3/3/1998

Pictures from Google Image Search

Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture

See more pictures of Birmingham Political Union

Related topics