anti-corn law league: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Very Low Frequency (Specialist Historical Term)Formal; used primarily in historical, political, and economic contexts.
Quick answer
What does “anti-corn law league” mean?
A 19th-century British political organization that successfully campaigned for the repeal of the Corn Laws (tariffs on imported grain).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A 19th-century British political organization that successfully campaigned for the repeal of the Corn Laws (tariffs on imported grain).
A significant pressure group in British political history, representing the interests of industrialists and urban workers who sought cheaper food by promoting free trade. It is a classic example of a successful single-issue campaign that altered economic policy through organized lobbying and public agitation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is almost exclusively used in British historical contexts. In American discourse, it might be cited as a case study in political economy or reform movements but is not part of standard historical narrative.
Connotations
In British history, it connotes the rise of middle-class political power, the conflict between industrial and landed interests, and a major victory for free-trade ideology.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general usage; encountered in academic history, economics, or political science texts.
Grammar
How to Use “anti-corn law league” in a Sentence
The Anti-Corn Law League + VERB (e.g., campaigned, argued, succeeded)a member/supporter of the Anti-Corn Law LeagueVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anti-corn law league” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Anti-Corn Law League agitation was pivotal.
- He held Anti-Corn Law League sympathies.
American English
- The Anti-Corn Law League campaign is a historical case study.
- Anti-Corn Law League rhetoric emphasized consumer welfare.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in discussions of trade policy history, lobbying, and regulatory change.
Academic
Central to studies of 19th-century British political and economic history, the development of liberalism, and social movements.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
A precise historical referent in political science (interest groups) and economic history (tariff reform).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anti-corn law league”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “anti-corn law league”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anti-corn law league”
- Using lower case ('anti-corn law league').
- Using it as a common noun ('an anti-corn law league').
- Confusing it with the later 'Manchester School' of economists, though closely related.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It was founded in 1838 and disbanded in 1846 after achieving its goal with the repeal of the Corn Laws.
Richard Cobden and John Bright were its most prominent leaders and spokesmen.
They kept the price of bread artificially high to protect the profits of landowners, at the expense of the urban poor and industrialists who had to pay higher wages.
It is often cited as an early, highly successful example of a single-issue pressure group and a landmark in the history of free-trade ideology.
A 19th-century British political organization that successfully campaigned for the repeal of the Corn Laws (tariffs on imported grain).
Anti-corn law league is usually formal; used primarily in historical, political, and economic contexts. in register.
Anti-corn law league: in British English it is pronounced /ˌænti ˈkɔːn ˌlɔː ˈliːɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌænˌtaɪ ˈkɔːrn ˌlɔ ˈliːɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LEAGUE of ANTI-HUNGER protesters throwing CORN at a LAW book to break it.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PRESSURE GROUP is a FORCE (that pushes against a barrier/law).
Practice
Quiz
What was the primary goal of the Anti-Corn Law League?