The People's Charter (Chartist pamphlet, 1838)

The People's Charter was authored primarily by William Lovett, who was a key figure in the London Working Men's Association. It served as the foundational political document for the Chartist movement in Britain.

The document demanded universal manhood suffrage, secret ballots, no property qualifications for MPs, payment for Members of Parliament, equal constituencies, and annual parliamentary elections. These six points became the core platform of the Chartists.

The main goal of the Chartist movement was to achieve political rights and representation for the working class in Britain. They believed that securing the vote was essential to solving their economic and social hardships.

While the Charter was rejected by the British Parliament multiple times, it laid the groundwork for future electoral reforms. All six of its demands, except for annual parliamentary elections, eventually became law in Britain by the early 20th century.