5. Political Pressures on the Government Flashcards
Define the term “established order”
the class that holds power, by which is strengthened by social links, and that generally holds conservative and conventional views
What year was the French Revolution?
1789
Who wrote “Reflections of the Revolution in France”
Edmund Burke- renowned Rockingham Whig
What year was Thomas Paine’s “The Rights of Man” published?
1791
What year was Habeas Corpus suspended?
1794
When was the Seditious Meetings Act passed?
1795
Why did Burke fall out with Fox over the Revolution in France?`
Burke condemned the Revolution in his publication “Reflections of the Revolution in France” whereas Fox supported the Revolution
What was Pitt’s response to Revolution?
Calm- believed that internal strife would preoccupy the French Government- would not disturb peace in Britain
Who, in Britain, supported the Revolution?
The opposition Whigs- Fox- “victory for democracy, curbing the power of an autocratic monarchy
Protestant Dissenters- more religious tolerance?
What is a Corresponding society?
mostly working class political society- encourage discussion of politics by writing to members of similar associations and to advance the cause of democratic reform
When was the London Corresponding Society set up, and by who?
1792, by Thomas Hardy
Why is it suggested that the Government were moving towards repression before they passed any laws?
It is suggested that government agents were behind the mob that attacked a Corresponding Society in Birmingham
In what year were the September Massacres?
1792
What was the Edict of Fraternity and when was it issued?
November 1792- The promise of assistance to any nation rising against their sovereigns
When was Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette executed?
January 1793
In what year was British intervention in the French Revolutionary Wars?
1793 (fearing British interests)
What was the Treasonable Practices Act, and when was it published?
1795- was made an offence to speak against the King
What was the 1795 Seditious Meetings Act?
Outlawing large gatherings (to avoid a riot)
What was the Aliens Act, and when was it issued?
1793- preventing any French Republican from coming to England
What were the Combinations Acts, and when was it passed?
1799-1800- a ban on Trade Unions and the formation of societies or amalgamations with the aim to achieve political reform
What two particular societies did the Combination Act affect, and forced to disband
London Corresponding Society and the Society of United Irish Men
In what year was there a particularly bad harvest?
1797
In what year did the Navy mutiny and why?
1797- the Spithead and Nore mutinies- due to the conditions for able seamen, the pay, and the excessive punishments for minor offences
How did Pitt respond to the naval mutinies?
Severe punishments- hanging of ring leaders (shows how repression of the British government was increasing)
Define the term Presbyterians
part of a broader group of Dissenters- widespread in Scotland and Ireland
When was Ireland granted legislative independence?
1782
Through who was the administration in Ireland still controlled?
The Lord Lieutenant
When was the Order of St. Patrick created, and what was it?
1783 (created by George III at the request of the Lord Lieutenant the Earl of Temple)- to reward/ obtain political support in the Irish Parliament
When was the formation of the Society of United Irishmen?
October 1791
What were the beliefs of Wolfe Tone?
Political ascendancy would have to be ousted if the Presbyterians were to gain the freedom to properly pursue their interests
When was the Catholic Relief Act passed, what did it do, and what was Pitt’s motivation for its issue?
1793- Allowed Catholics to vote (but not become MPs)- to try and dampen Catholic support for the Society of United Irishmen
When was a half-thought attempt to pass full Catholic Emancipation, and why was it stopped?
1795- George III fiercely opposed it.
What was nicknamed Grattan’s Parliament?
The Irish Parliament in the period after 1782 (the granting of Ireland’s legislative independence)
What were the Society of United Irishmen’s aims?
The establishment of a democracy within Ireland, equal rights for all men (whatever religion), a complete separation from England
During what year was Wolfe Tone involved in plotting French landings in Ireland? Describe the attempts of landing
1797- 35 ships and 1000 men to Bantry Bay- prevented by violent storms
Eventually able to land, but defeated by the British Navy
How did Wolfe Tone die?
Captured by the British navy, after failed landings- he cut his throat in prison before his trial
What two points would an Act of Union mean?
Persuade Dublin Parliament to accept fewer seats in Westminster (300 Dublin MPs would have to be reduced to 100)
Bribe the Catholics with full Catholic Emancipation to prevent a further uprising
What is the quote from Williams and Ramsden on Pitt’s promise of Catholic Emancipation with the Act of Union?
“Leading Catholics thought they had received an assurance from Pitt that they would be able to sit in Westminster”
When and why did Pitt resign after 17 years in office?
Failing to pass Catholic Emancipation (after being stopped by the King)- 1801
Who was Richard Price?
A Dissenter who expressed criticism of the church, the political establishment and the influence and values of the aristocracy
What is an example that shows the radical movement in Scotland was strong?
1793 trials in Edinburgh against a group of protestant reformers for writing seditious literature- Thomas Muir was among them. The leaders were transported to Australia (repressive and unnecessary punishment)
Why did the French Revolution cause the Whig Party to split?
Pro-revolution Whigs such as Fox
Anti-revolution Whigs such as Edmund Burke (this group started to desert to Pitt)
Eh Whigs- led by the Duke of Portland
Why did Pitt drop any notion for reform?
Tried and defeated by the King in 1785 to redistribute seats from several rotten boroughs
What was the Society of the Friends of the People, and who formed it?
Charles Grey, to promote equal representation. Put forward a motion for parliamentary reform in 1793 but defeated 282 votes to 41
When was Robert Emmet’s rebellion and what was it?
1803- An attempt in Dublin to seize strategic spots, and encourage others to join the rebellion. It ultimately failed and it’s orchestrators were executed
