B3019th

Theme: Private and state roles in economic activity In 1815, the Corn Laws were revised in Britain. Originally, the Corn Laws regulated foreign grain trade in order to prevent grain shortages. In a time without war, grain could be imported and wheat and bread prices would decrease. Socially, everyone would benefit from the price decrease, except the aristocracy. Therefore, the aristocracy aimed at revising the Corn Laws through Parliament, which in turn reduced Britain’s state role in Europe, economically. The revised laws did not allow for the importation of foreign grain, except in the cases of extremely unreasonable prices in their own nation. Although the new standard was a way to achieve the desirable self-sufficiency, the aristocracy’s actions depict their selfishness to only benefit themselves economically in Britain and disregard all the other social classes. "BBC - GCSE Bitesize - The Corn Laws." __BBC - Homepage__. 18 Apr. 2009 . McKay, John P. __A History of Western society__. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2003. 
 * Revision of Corn Laws- 1815**