| Gathering of the Unions |
The Birmingham Political Union was founded by Thomas Attwood as part of the struggle for democracy in England in the early nineteenth century. This scene on a japanned tray depicts a massive gathering of the Union that was held at Newhall Hill in Birmingham on 7 May, 1832 (contemporaries estimated that 200,000 people attended). The success of the meeting led to the formation of political unions in many other towns throughout the country, which played a crucial role in the campaign that lead to the passing of the Great Reform Bill in 1832. This was the first step in transforming England into a modern democratic state. The image thus encapsulates the battle that had to be fought to win our modern democratic rights – and throws into sharp relief the frequently expressed boredom with politics that leads so many people not to vote in today’s elections. Institute: Birmingham Museums and Heritage Your Comments (0)
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