The Corn Laws

The Corn Laws where tariffs imposed on the import of corn to the UK from 1815 to 1846.  The intention of the tariffs were to protect the interests of corn producing landowners.  While landowners benefited from the protection of their markets, low-paid workers experienced poverty and famine from having to spend a large proportion of their income on bread.  The struggle to repeal the Corn Laws led to the collapse of the Conservative government and the resignation of Robert Peel as Prime Minister.  Following their repeal corn prices fell in the UK resulting in the reduction in the amount of land dedicated to cereal production and a similar reduction in the demand for agricultural labour.