Britain Depth (1): Radical Reformers 1790-1819 Flashcards
The London Corresponding Society
Founded in 1792 by Thomas Hardy.
Key aims set out in pamphlet 1792 ‘The Address of the LCS to the other societies of Great Britain’. Distributed by the thousands in London and around the country.
Helped inform the people of “the violence that had been committed on their rights”.
Promoted the twin causes of universal suffrage and annual parliaments.
Spa Fields Meetings 1816
Henry Hunt invited to address the meeting. Crowd of 10,000 people. The trial of the ringleaders in 1817 exposed the role of government spies and informers in the Spa Field’s affair.
Peace abroad wasn’t accompanied by tranquillity at home.
Aim of the meeting wasn’t contentious. Hunt wasn’t received by the Prince Regent = second meeting 2nd December. Had they been successful they may have attempted a coup against the government, but the quick action of the Lord Mayor of London and his force of constables dispersed the rioters and arrested their leader.
Spa Fields exposed many of the post-war difficulties faced by radical reformers. The use of government spies and agent provocateurs made it almost impossible to outwit the forces of order, who were usually well informed about intended courses of action.
Pentridge rising 1817
Significance of spies was highlighted by this event. In May 1817 ‘Oliver’ joined a meeting of radical activists and convinced them radicals were preparing for an uprising on June 9th. On the day Jeremiah Brandreth led 300 men towards Nottingham. Intercepted by a regiment of soldiers and 80 were arrested.
Many realised the event of Spa Fields wasn’t an isolated incident.
4 killed and 23 sentenced to transportation.
Discontent at economic conditions was manifested into a series of radical events.
Peterloo 1819
St Peter’s Field, Manchester August 16th 1819.
Radical activity in Manchester fluctuated with economic conditions.
Downturn in textile industry 1818 gave rise to a sustained campaign of mass meetings and demands for parliamentary reform.
crowd of 80,000.
Within 20 minutes, 18 dead, 600 injured.
The events provoked widespread national revulsion, leading to several outbreaks of sporadic rioting and further growth of political unions.
Six acts 1819 in response.
Manchester was the epitome of the fundamental changes to lifestyle caused by the IR, but the city that exemplified the success of the IR was brimming w/ poverty and not a single MP.
Trial of the leaders of the LCS
As a result of War w/ France, there was little tolerance for radicalism. Armed with information from a network of spies, gov arrested several leaders from SCI and LCS.
At its height LCS had 5,000 members. Pitt overestimated this.
The leaders weren’t found guilty. Pitt recognised he wouldn’t be able to suppress radicalism with the existing legal system and this triggered him to introduce a series of repressive legislation.
Suspension of Habeas Corpus
Suspension of Habeas Corpus allowed gov to interview the accused and prepare cases against them. In 1794 the suspension of Habeas Corpus allowed the arrest and imprisonment of persons ‘on suspicion’ without requiring charges or a trial. Local JPs were ordered to investigate leaders of the Corresponding Societies, and if there was evidence against them, to prosecute.
Treason act 1795
Failure of the treason trials catalysed these acts, persuading gov to take more serious action against radicalism. Made in an offence to kill, or even harm, the king. Treason was defined as any intention to ‘intimidate or overawe either Houses or either house of parliament’.
Seditious meetings act 1795
Restricted size of public meetings to 50 people.
Gagging acts 1817
Rising unemployment was worsened by the demobilisation of 300,000 troops.
Seditious meetings act 1817 built on the terms of the 1795 act.
Succeeded in their aim of quelling unrest in the short term but most terms lapsed in 1818 leading to a rise in radicalism.
The Six acts 1819
In response to Peterloo. Clamped down on meeting and sharing ideas which increased the power of the state.
- Seditious meetings act
- training prevention act
- seizure of arms act
- misdemeanours act
- newspaper and stamp duties act
- blasphemous and seditious libels act
Thomas Paine (The Rights of Man)
In response to Edmund Burke’s work he published the rights of man 1792 which became an immediate bestseller. He declared that since all men were born equal in the sight of god, they must therefore be endowed with the same human and political rights. In 3 years after its publication it sold 200,000 copies.
Helped to popularise the idea of government by consent, democracy and republicanism.
John Cartwright (The Hampden clubs)
Formed Hampden clubs in 1812.
Aimed to get middle-class moderates to unite with working-class radicals. Was so radical that he was arrested in 1813. However, the government felt threatened and local leaders were arrested in 1817, meaning the clubs could not act effectively after 1817. Filled the gap left by the demise of the LCS. Rapid growth.
William Cobbett (The Political register)
one of the most prolific political writers of first half of c19. Political register was published between 1802 and 1835 and was the primary vehicle by which he scrutinized and challenged the gov. The first 2 pence broadsheet sold 44,000 copies in its first month causing concern to the home office. He was able to articulate working class grievances.
Henry Hunt (Radical Orator)
In 1815 he established himself as one of the most important leaders of British radicalism. Influence was seen in Spa fields, where he proposed universal suffrage for the first time in a public meeting. 1820 jailed after Peterloo but had huge influence. Champion of the people and their interests.
Extent of Radical success
Failure:
- lack of progress with objectives. In absolute terms none of their aims had been met.
- inability to overcome opposition. British government prevailed and were an insurmountable obstacle.
- lack of co-ordination within the movement. no real leadership, made it easier for the government to oppose.
Success:
- creating awareness of the issue. Made reform an important issue, it was impossible for the government to simply ignore.
- setting the scene for future progression. Set the process of reform in motion.
Overall:
failed to achieve their reforms in an immediate sense. However, they created a political debate and laid the foundations for what would become a process of chnage that would last until 1928.
