Chapter Seven Flashcards
When did Liverpool, who became PM in 1812, bring victory against Napoleon?
In 1815
What was Liverpool’s task within government?
To bring together strongly differing views and personalities amongst his ministers and to make a constant effort to overcome Whig opposition in the Commons.
Why was the popularity of the monarchy low after the death of George III in 1820?
As a result of the extravagant behaviour and lax moral standards of George IV, who attempted to exclude his wife, Caroline of Brunswick from the throne. It increased the Government’s unpopularity, roused demonstrations for Caroline and was a threat to constitutional stability. Tarnished Liverpool’s reputation.
What were the 1815 Corn Laws?
Meant that no foreign corn could be imported until the home price reached 80 shillings a quarter. The dominant landed interest in Parliament were protecting themselves- as land was their main source of income. Although they did well during th War, there was a bumper harvest in 1813 causing a fall in prices and then there was a poor harvest the next year, meaning the import of foreign corn was needed. This was cheaper and at the end of the wartime blockade, foreign corn flooded the market.
How could the Corn Laws also benefit the general population?
The Government could be seen as not soley acting in the interests of the landowners and farmers, since they wanted to ensure a sufficient food supply for a rapidly growing population. Also they were never intended as a permanent solution. Government ignored popular protests, believing they were acting in the population’s long term interests.
What was the ultimate consequence of the Corn Law and what did this cause?
It pushed up the price of bread, which was the staple diet of the labouring population. There was a huge public outcry, petitions were presented to Parliament and serious rioting broke out. Contributed to period of unrest to which the Government responded to harshly.
Why did many small farmers and agricultural labourers suffer?
Corn prices stayed high but never reached the prices obtained during the war and poor harvests continued to plague producers and interfere with their profits. With less ground under cultivation, as it was no longer needed, many agricultural labourers were made redundant.
What happened in 1816 to income tax?
It was abolished, due to mps arguments that it was a wartime measure. So the government raised indirect taxes on commodities such as candles, beer, sugar and salt, affecting the lower orders. Poor were reduced to supplementing their diet by poaching. But the Game Laws were tightened.
What happened in 1817?
Habeas corpus was suspended after a worrying attack by the mob on the Prince Regents coach.
What was passed in 1819?
Six Acts, to deal with unrest. Outlawed unofficial military training, seditious meetings, stamp duties on newspapers to put them out of reach of most, and gave magistrates special powers to search homes for weapons. Aimed to silence public opinion and safeguard position and authority of the ruling class.
What was the St.Peter’s Field’s demonstration in Manchester?
Named the Peterloo Massacre. Cavalry charged into a crowd of tens of thousands who had gathered to demand the reform of parliamentary representation, led by Henry Hunt, well known radical. 15 people killed. Hundreds injured.
What were the Truck and Factory Acts of 1819?
Truck act attempted to curtail practice of employers paying wages in kind to factory workers and the factory act intervened in employment conditions. Stopped employment of children under nine in cotton factoies, restricted working hours to 12 hours a day for young people.
Aside from the Truck and Factory acts, what measure sidd Liverpool introduce against repression?
Relief Acts for Dissenters and Toleration Act for Unitarians permitted greater religious freedoms, and in 1824 the Combination Acts were repealed after pressure from skilled artisan class led by Francis Place, who argued by allowing trade unions to have a legal status, members would reject violence.
After the short trade boom 1822-24, what happened?
Led to a rise in living costs, followed by a recession, and hardship and strike action. Government pulled back on their reforming position and passed 1825 Amending Act, stopping strike action.
What did Robert Peel do from 1822, when he was made Home Secretary?
He re-codified the criminal law. Made it more humane, lesser punishments for petty crimes- 1823 Penal Code e.g pick pocketing which carried the death penalty, and more efficient as juries had become eluctant to return a guilty verdict for a crime where they knew the penalty was death. Also a classification and separation of prisoners was introduced and female prisoners looked after by female wardens.
