The People’s Charter was the first document published in 1838 to demand changes to the existing government for the benefit of the working class. Although it was primarily written by William Lovett, thousands of citizens signed the petition to demonstrate their support. The pamphlet proposed electoral reform, equality in Parliament, voting for men, vote by ballot, the abolishment of property qualifications for MPs as well as payment for MPs, and the adjustment of Parliament representative districts. The most encouraged proposal was the right to vote for men that were 21 years or older. They needed to be of sound mind with no criminal record. Before the Charter only a fraction of men were allowed to vote in the country so in this way more citizens would have a voice. Unfortunately, when the Charter was sent to Parliament, they rejected it. This caused civil unrest that rose and fell due to authorities. The proposal was published only a few years before Mary Barton so many characters are aware of the Chartist movement and the civil unrest embedded into the plot of the novel. 

Gaskell, Elizabeth Mary Barton edited Jennifer Foster. 1848, Broadview Literary Texts

“The Chartist Movement.” UK Parliament, UK Parliament, 2021, https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/transformingsociety/elec....