4. Growth of Reform before 1832 Flashcards
What are the 4 sections for this plan?
- Radical Societies and New Middle Class
- Riots and Unrest
- Parliaments unwillingness to change
- Thomas Paine and French Revolution
Radical Societies and New Middle Class
How many daily and tri-weekly newspapers were there in London during this time?
London had 13 daily newspapers and 10 tri-weekly newspapers.
Radical Societies and New Middle Class
What were the names of the two societies set up in 1780 that gained members from the ‘respectable classes’?
The two societies were the ‘Yorkshire Association’ and the ‘Society for Constitutional Information’.
Radical Societies and New Middle Class
Who founded the London Corresponding Society (LCS) and how many members did they claim to have in the early 1790s?
The London Corresponding Society (LCS) was founded by Thomas Hardy. He claimed there were 5000 members in the early 1790s, but it was probably closer to 1000.
Radical Societies and New Middle Class
What types of people were members of the London Corresponding Society (LCS)?
The members of the London Corresponding Society (LCS) were mostly artisans and tradesmen, but also included booksellers, printers, and authors.
Radical Societies and New Middle Class
What was the significance of the demonstration at Copenhagen Fields in October 1795?
The demonstration at Copenhagen Fields attracted over 100,000 people, showing the widespread support and influence of the London Corresponding Society (LCS).
Radical Societies and New Middle Class
How did the Sheffield Society for Constitutional Information contribute to the cause?
The Sheffield Society for Constitutional Information was formed in 1791 and managed to raise almost 10,000 signatures on a national petition calling for male suffrage.
Riots and Unrest
What was the plan drawn up by Francis Place during the Days of May riots in 1832?
The plan was to withdraw money from banks to trigger a banking crisis.
Riots and Unrest
What were the plans discussed during the Days of May riots in 1832 which would have harmed the Duke?
‘to stop the duke go for gold’ - plans to stop paying taxes
Riots and Unrest
How many people were attracted to the demonstrations organised by the BPU during the Days of May riots in 1832?
200,000 people were attracted to the demonstrations.
Riots and Unrest
Where did the Swing Riots of 1830-31 initially start?
The Swing Riots initially started in Kent.
Riots and Unrest
How many counties did the Swing Riots of 1830-31 spread to?
The Swing Riots spread to 20 counties.
Riots and Unrest
What were the main activities involved in the Swing Riots of 1830-31?
The main activities involved machine breaking, arson, assaults on landlords, and strikes.
Riots and Unrest
What were the demands made in the petitions sent to parliament during the Swing Riots of 1830-31?
The petitions demanded tax reductions in rural areas.
Riots and Unrest
What was the fear expressed by the participants of the Swing Riots of 1830-31?
The participants feared that paternalism, which is the hierarchy of traditions, was breaking down.
Riots and Unrest
How much damage was caused by the Swing Riots of 1830-31 in terms of riot and arson?
The riots caused £600 worth of damage, and the arson caused £100,000 worth of damage.
Riots and Unrest
How many people were sentenced to death and how many were transported as a result of the Swing Riots of 1830-31?
252 people were sentenced to death, and 505 people were transported.
Riots and Unrest
How many unions were there across the country during the time of the riots and unrest?
There were over 100 unions across the country.
Riots and Unrest
What was the distribution of unions across the North and Midlands?
Approximately 1/3 of the unions were in the North, 1/3 were in the Midlands.
Riots and Unrest
What was the name of the national union during the time of the riots and unrest?
The national union was called the National Union of the Working Class (NUWC).
Parliaments unwillingness to change
Who defended the status quo and argued that moderate reform would lead to violence?
Edmund Burke
Parliaments unwillingness to change
Who resisted all attempts at reform?
Lord Liverpool
Parliaments unwillingness to change
Who said, “I was unwilling to open a door which I saw no prospect of being able to close”?
Robert Peel
Parliaments unwillingness to change
In what year did William Pitt embark on his “Reign of Terror”?
1793
Parliaments unwillingness to change
What charges was Rev. Thomas Palmer sentenced for?
Encouraging others to read ‘The Rights of Man’
Parliaments unwillingness to change
How long was Rev. Thomas Palmer sentenced to?
7 years transportation
Parliaments unwillingness to change
What legislation was enacted to support William Pitt’s actions?
The Habeas Corpus Act was suspended in 1784, allowing individuals to be held indefinitely.
Parliaments unwillingness to change
In what year was the Treasonable and Seditious Practices Act passed?
1795
Parliaments unwillingness to change
What did the Seditious Meetings Act ban?
Meetings of over 50 reformers.
Parliaments unwillingness to change
What was the stance of the Whigs on reform?
They supported moderate reform but believed it should be careful and controlled, with concessions to the middle class. They did not want to see the middle class link with the working class as had happened in France.
Thomas Paine and French Revolution
When was Thomas Paine’s ‘Rights of Man’ written and whose book was it a response to?
Paine’s ‘Rights of Man’ was written between 1791 and 1792 and it was a response to Burke’s book.
Thomas Paine and French Revolution
What conservative ideas did Paine reject in ‘Rights of Man’?
Paine rejected the conservative ideas that societies developed from their past. He argued that this was the time to establish a new political system and questioned monarchy, nobility, and the established Church.
Thomas Paine and French Revolution
How many copies of ‘Rights of Man’ had been sold by 1783?
By 1783, 200,000 copies of ‘Rights of Man’ had been sold.
Thomas Paine and French Revolution
Why did Thomas Paine flee to France in 1792?
Thomas Paine was charged with treason and he fled to France in 1792. His ideas were never taken up by societies.
Thomas Paine and French Revolution
What inspired Thomas Paine’s work during his time in France?
Thomas Paine’s work was inspired by the Storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, which he witnessed during his time in France.
Thomas Paine and French Revolution
Why did the Storming of the Bastille take place?
The Storming of the Bastille took place due to resentment towards the ruling class and nobility. The cost of living had risen, and the working class was struggling as they had to spend 90% of their wages on basic necessities.
Thomas Paine and French Revolution
How many people stormed the Bastille and what did they do?
633 people stormed the Bastille, which was a symbol of the King. They released prisoners, stole munitions, and destroyed the fortress. Unfortunately, 104 people were killed during the event.
Thomas Paine and French Revolution
How long did the string of revolutions sparked by the Storming of the Bastille last?
The string of revolutions sparked by the Storming of the Bastille lasted for 10 years, until 1799.
