Early Radicalism- The situation by 1815

Question 1

Whys was there tension in 1815?

Answer 1

• Unemployment played a key role. After the Napoleonic wars in 1803-1815 supplies for war slowed down and people were laid off including returning solders.
• Factories had included new machinery which was taking over the work from skilled labourers.
• Taxes were raised to help pay off debts that happened during the war with France.
• The corn law was passed to help keep the price of bread artificially high.

Question 2

What did the Luddites do to protest against the removal of jobs in 1800’s.

Answer 2

• In 1810-11 there were attacks in industrial areas where men would destroy recently installed machines as they had gotten rid of workers.
• The leader General Ned Ludd would send mill owners letters to remove machinery. this was done to intimidate as far more letters were sent off than the number of mills attacked.

Question 3

What economic problems did Britain face after the war with France in 1815

Answer 3

• Recession and unemployment. (300,000 soldiers returned from war looking for jobs and many industries were laying off workers)
• National budget. (debt grown to 861 million and had to pay interest that was 805 of the governments income)
• Corn laws (imposed tariffs on foreign wheat and banned imports till the price of wheat had reached 20 shillings a quarter.) this was done to make the country more self sufficient.