The Corn Laws were a series of regulations in the United Kingdom that controlled the import and export of grain during the early 19th century. These laws aimed to protect domestic agriculture by imposing high tariffs on imported grain, ensuring that local farmers could sell their products at higher prices. The laws were enacted in response to the economic conditions following the Napoleonic Wars. Opposition to the Corn Laws grew as industrialization progressed, leading to higher food prices for urban workers. Critics argued that the laws favored landowners and hindered economic growth. The laws were eventually repealed in 1846, marking a significant shift towards free trade in Britain.