The Corn Laws were a series of British laws that regulated the import and export of grain. They were first introduced in the early 19th century and were designed to protect British farmers by raising the price of imported grain. This made it more expensive for people to buy food and made it difficult for British industry to compete with foreign manufacturers. The laws were a source of controversy for many years and were particularly unpopular with the working classes, who were hit hard by the high cost of food.
The repeal of the Corn Laws was a political movement in the 1840s led by British Prime Minister Robert Peel, who believed that the laws were harmful to the economy and unjust to the poor. After several years of debate, the laws were finally repealed on 31 January 1846. The repeal of the Corn Laws marked a major victory for the free trade movement and helped to reduce the price of food for the working classes. It also paved the way for further liberalization of the British economy in the years to come.
