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Questions about Corn Laws

Short answers, pulled from the story.

When did the House of Commons pass the Corn Laws bill?

The House of Commons passed the bill to regulate corn importation on the 10th of March 1815. The House of Lords approved it three days later on the 13th of March, and Royal assent arrived on the 23rd of March 1815.

Who was the major proponent of free trade in the 1840s regarding the Corn Laws?

Richard Cobden emerged as a major proponent of free trade in the 1840s. He formed the Anti-Corn Law League in 1838 under his direction and campaigned for repeal throughout its duration.

What date were the Corn Laws officially abolished after three years?

Corn Laws would be abolished on the 1st of February 1849 after three years. A final duty of one shilling per quarter remained until that time when MPs voted 327 to 229 on the third reading on the 15th of May.

How much wheat did Britain rely on imports for by 1914?

Britain relied on imports for four-fifths of its wheat by 1914. Forty percent of meat also came from foreign sources at that time, creating national security vulnerabilities during wartime blockades.

When did rural rents decline significantly following the agricultural depression?

Rural rents declined significantly after 1877. Landowners lost their position as the richest class in the nation while agriculture contributed about 17% to national income in 1871 before dropping below 7% by 1911.