The Corn Laws were a series of protectionist trade policies enacted in the United Kingdom between 1815 and 1846. Their primary aim was to shield British agriculture from foreign competition by imposing tariffs and restrictions on imported grain, commonly referred to as "corn" in the UK. These laws were introduced after the Napoleonic Wars, during a period of economic instability, to ensure domestic farmers received high prices for their produce.
But this meant they benefited landowners and agricultural producers at the expense of working people as food prices rose, particularly affecting the urban working class who struggled to afford basic staples. Industrialists also opposed the laws, arguing that high food prices led to higher wage demands and stifled economic growth.
The Anti-Corn Law League, led by figures like Richard Cobden and John Bright, campaigned vigorously for repeal, citing free trade principles and humanitarian concerns. After a devastating potato famine in Ireland and growing public pressure, Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel repealed the Corn Laws in 1846.
Their abolition marked a significant shift toward free trade in Britain and highlighted the growing influence of industrial over landed interests. The repeal remains a key moment in British economic and radical history.
This tea towel is based on a contemporary cartoon by George Cruikshank. A piece of history in your kitchen!
