What was the significance of the Corn Laws in 19th-century Britain? 🔊
The significance of the Corn Laws in 19th-century Britain lay in their role in the political and economic landscape of the time. Enacted in 1815, these laws imposed tariffs and restrictions on imported grain to protect domestic agriculture. While aimed at benefiting landowners, the Corn Laws were deeply unpopular among the working class and urban population, who faced rising food prices and hardship. This tension fueled the Anti-Corn Law League, advocating for free trade and the repeal of the laws. The eventual repeal in 1846 marked a shift toward free market principles and foreshadowed broader economic changes in Britain.
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