Question 1
Using these four sources in their historical context, assess how far they support the view that the
leadership of Feargus O’Connor did not inspire his fellow Chartists.
Source A: A young German socialist and poet, living in Bradford, reports on a Chartist meeting he attended at which Feargus O’Connor was the speaker.
He made preparation to attack the enemy – the meeting noticed this and spurred him on by loud clapping – it was as a red rag to a bull. The voice took on a fuller sound, the sentences became shorter, the fist drummed more wildly against the rostrum, the face of the orator became pale, his limbs trembled, the cataract of his rage had flooded over the last barrier, and onwards thundered the floodtide of his eloquence, throwing down all before it. I do believe that the man would have talked himself to death if he had not been interrupted by an audience which shook the whole house and set it vibrating.
George Weerth, writing in a radical German newspaper, 1843–46
Source B: Writing to Friedrich Engels, a radical Chartist assesses O’Connor’s worth to the Chartist movement.
I must do O’C. the justice to say that he never interferes with what I write in the Northern Star. A popular chief should be possessed of a magnificent bodily appearance, an iron frame, eloquence, or at least a ready fluency of tongue. O’C. has them all – at least in degree. A popular leader should possess great animal courage, contempt of pain and death, and be not altogether ignorant of arms and military science. No Chartist leader has these qualifications. From my knowledge of all the men who figure in the Chartist movement, I am convinced that even in this respect, was O’C. thrown overboard, we might go further and fare worse. George Harney, letter, 30 March 1846
Source C: A Chartist thinker, writing in his own journal, comments on the tactics of Feargus O’Connor.
Oddly, Feargus dragged millions to torch-light meetings and demonstrations at great sacrifice of time and money, and caused the ruin of thousands through imprisonment, loss of employment and transportation. It appears he only has to establish a ‘National Chartist Co-operative Land Society’ to ensure social happiness for all. Formerly, he taught us that social happiness was to proceed from political equality. Doubtless, when his land-bubble has burst, he will have some other new idea for us.
Bronterre O’Brien, National Reformer, May 1847
Source D: One of the founders of the Chartist movement explains his hostility to Feargus O’Connor.
I regard Feargus O’Connor as the man who did most to spoil our movement. He began his career by ridiculing our ‘moral force’ as humbug. The Northern Star became an instrument for destroying everything intellectual and moral in our movement. By his constant appeals to the selfishness, vanity and animal instincts of men, he succeeded in calling up a spirit of hate, intolerance and brute feeling previously unknown among reformers. I will have nothing to do with such a man as he has done irreparable damage to our cause and because he is politically and morally dishonest.
William Lovett, The Life and Struggles of William Lovett, 1876
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Answer
