Britain’s Changing Situation By 1815

Question 1

What were the chief complaints to have emerged by 1815?

Answer 1

• Unemployment arising from the Napoleonic Wars in 1815; also thousands of ex-soldiers and sailors now looking for work
• New machines in factories replacing skilled workers
• Fluctuating food prices meant many people struggling to cope
• Taxes introduced to pay for costs of war which increased poverty levels
• The Corn Laws kept the price of wheat (bread) high

As the threat of invasion lessened, radicals were no longer held back by the charge of being un-patriotic

Question 2

What problems did GB face after defeat of Napoleon in 1815?

Answer 2

Wars started 1793 - national debt vastly increased, industries (textiles, coal, engineering) had to adjust to loss of war orders, and many of GB’s trading partners’ economies were depressed. Unemployment was increasing as 300,000 troops returned home.

Question 3

How did government attempt reduce national debt?

Answer 3

National debt grew to £861 million – instead of continuing to use income tax, the government introduced indirect taxation on everyday items such as sugar, tea, candles, beer and tobacco. This raised the price and had a disproportionate impact on the poor.

Question 4

Why were the Corn Laws introduced?

Answer 4

Landowners demanded a ban on imports of foreign wheat arguing Britain needed to be self-sufficient in case of another war and to feed the rapidly growing population. They also argued this would prevent hunger and famine which was seen as key cause of revolution. They also stressed agriculture remained primary employer in Britain, and that hundreds of thousands of farmers and labourers derived income from the land.

The result was Corn Laws, which imposed tariffs on foreign wheat and effectively banned imports until price of wheat reached 80 shillings. The Corn Laws proved controversial – critics argued they protected profits of landowners whilst impoverishing lowest class.