The Corn Laws

The Corn Laws were a series of laws in 19th-century Britain that taxed imported grain to protect domestic farmers from foreign competition. Enacted in 1815, they aimed to keep food prices high and support local farmers' profits, but they also raised bread prices for consumers and contributed to economic hardship among the working class. The laws sparked widespread opposition and debate over free trade versus protectionism. They remained in effect until 1846, when they were repealed, marking a shift toward free trade policies and significantly impacting Britain's agricultural and economic landscape.