Early Radicals Flashcards

1
Q

describe the political system in 18TH CENTURY Britain

A

There was a constitutional monarchy

CROWN: Monarch had significant power still but it had been weakened by the 1688 Glorious Revolution
HOUSE OF LORDS: more powerful than they are today and they are mostly all aristocrats who were born into their positions and are all unelected.
HOUSE OF COMMONS: they were all landed gentry with money as MPs were not paid so only these people could afford to be so.
VOTERS: In 1780 there were 214,000 voters out of a population of around 8,000,000. eligibility depended on where you lived and how much money you earned.
WHIGS: more liberal than conservatives but not very liberal relatively.
TORIES: had a majority for most of the century as all the voters wanted too keep their situation the same and tries didn’t like change.
RADICALS: supporters of the C18TH parliamentary reform.

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2
Q

what was the significance of the American Revolutionary war?

A
  • it caused an increase in no confidence/ uncertainty in the abilities of the government because they were losing colonies.
  • colonies no longer wanted to be linked to Britain.
  • britain were losing the fight to keep their colonies which made them look weak.
  • put Britain in big debt.
  • the radicals increased their opposition to the government.
  • it may inspire other colonies to break free.
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3
Q

name some SOURCES OF and THREATS TO Britons stability in 1780

A

STABILITY:

  • lack of monarch power
  • lack of public power
  • empire
  • success in previous warfare
  • a forward thinking parliament

INSTABILITY:

  • American revolutionary war
  • lack of representation
  • threat of french invasion
  • public anger
  • house of commons and house of lords don’t trust the monarch.
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4
Q

define RADICALISM in your own words

A

Political radicalism is ideas that are drastically different or would make a big difference to the current system.

Historically it was only used to refer to extremely left wing politicians because our country was and is very right wing.

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5
Q

summarise the french revolution

A
  • the 3rd estate was removed from the general
  • june 1789 they promised each other not to leave the tennis court until they make a new constitution.
  • aug 1789 rights of man released stating all men are equal.
  • june 1791 the royal family are captured
  • january 1793 king is executed
  • sept 1793 - july 1794 reign of terror ending with the execution of robes pierre who started the revolution practically
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6
Q

why was democracy seen as dangerous by so many members of the ruling class at this time?

A

because many of them would not have been elected at this time and if the public had the chance to vote they would likely not choose those who were born into their positions un qualified.

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7
Q

outline some elements of Burke’s ‘conservative’ ideology

A
  • stability is important
  • the constitution should be preserved
  • the glorious revolution was a necessary exception
  • democracy is not a good plan
  • violence that comes from revolution is dangerous
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8
Q

when and what was the Glorious Revolution ?

A

1688, the splitting of the power the king held to parliament and the people.

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9
Q

was burke likely to know what ordinary citizens thought ?

A

no, he was a rich child who was raised in upper middle class aristocracy and never associated with ordinary citizens.

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10
Q

outline the key ideas of THOMAS PAINE’S ‘RIGHTS OF MAN’

A
  • tradition is not always a good thing
  • the government should protect all citizens equally
  • the french revolution emerged from reason and rational thought not emotional violence
  • advocated the introduction of a range of civil rights to improve the welfare of the uk.
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11
Q

what was considered revolutionary about Paine’s ideas?

A

His ideas in particular where not revolutionary but his ideas were published across the country and that was very different than what anybody had ever done before, it also meant he got a lot of widespread support which was revolutionary.

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12
Q

why was the rights of man so appealing and popular?

A

because it was cheap, accessible, it was specifically published to the working and middle class and it advocated peoples freedom who had never been free before.

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13
Q

why didn’t the working class stand up for themselves sooner and demanded reform?

A
  • they may have thought that they were unable
  • they were uneducated so they were unsure of how to form an opposition or showcase their beliefs.
  • they could have been indoctrinated, things are so good why would you want to change them now this could make things worse for you.
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14
Q

summarise key beliefs or views of the LCS

A

COMPLAINTS;

  • the wrong people are in parliament
  • current parliament wastes peoples money
  • the politicians have way too many privileges
  • public is not being heard
  • we are degenerating into oppression

SOLUTION:

  • abolish the privileges
  • create a new way of electing parliament
  • allow the public voice to be heard
  • fair and equal representation
  • citizens have a duty to keep an eye on their government.
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15
Q

how did the LCS provoke fear of revolution?

A

they had an adequate following and they were demanding quite radical things or putting across radical views. they had also got links to the french as they visited them at one point which would have scared people the most definitely.

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16
Q

to what extent was the LCS revolutionary ?

A

people had come up with radical complaints or views that not many people agreed with before but by far thee most radical thing was the solutions they cam up with which nobody had dared to do before.

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17
Q

describe the growing unrest in 1790s Britain

A

despite clear popular support for loyalists, fears grew massively as the 1790s progressed.

MAIN REASONS:

  • the apparent growth in support for radical societies and their increased organisation
  • a perception of increased popular unrest, based in part of evidence form magistrates.
  • the increased violence in France during the revolution..
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18
Q

name and date the laws passed by Pitt’s Government to counter the increasing radical threat.

A
  • MAY 1972 The Royal proclamation against seditious writings and publications. ( auth. gov. to spy and infiltrate radical groups, Tom Paine was the main target.)
  • MAY 1794 - JUNE 1795 The suspension of habeas corpus.
  • NOVEMBER 1794 The Treason Trials. (41 radicals were arrested and charged with high treason.)
  • NOVEMBER 1795 ‘The Two Acts’ (treasonable practices act and seditious meetings act.)
  • JULY 1799 The Combination Act (prohibiting trade unions and collective bartering)
19
Q

What happened to 1790s RADICALISM after the government put their laws in place ?

A

By the end of 1795 radicalism was largely silenced. the gov barely had to use their powers and only 200 people were convicted under the laws in the 1790s.

20
Q

why were the policies so successful ?

A

because they intimidated and harassed the population into being well behaved. there where serious threats and consequences to the publics actions. The laws were enforced very thoroughly which will have also contributed.

21
Q

Charles Fox MP denounced these actions as Pitt’s Reign of Terror. Explain what he meant by this.

A

He was referencing the french revolution and saying that pitt was being hypocritical and that he was no better than the people he hated. and he was saying that these laws were perhaps in some way revolutionary.

22
Q

Who were the Luddites?

A

1810 - 1811 They were a number of workers who worked in industrial places and were having their jobs taken by machines. they attacked and broke machinery. the gov responded by putting 10,000 troops in the midlands and the north.

1812 there were a number of attempts to assassinate the mill owners.

23
Q

why were the gov so concerned about the luddites ?

A

they used a great deal of violence which bought reference to the french revolution and scared them that it was going to happen again if the luddites grew stronger.

24
Q

when and what were some of Britain’s ECONOMIC PROBLEMS and CONTROVERSIAL POLICIES ?

A

ECONOMIC PROBLEMS:

  • 300,000 Troops returned from battle and there were no pensions or allowances for them.
  • national debt had risen to £861 million
  • the gov had to raise money through tax which already accounted for 80% of the governments income.
  • during the war Britain had to rely on almost entirely home grown produce.
  • farmers were demanding a ban on wheat import.

CONTROVERSIAL POLICIES:

  • during the war the gov. had tried to cope with costs using income tax.
  • introduced indirect taxes on goods like candles and tea / soap.
  • The Corn Laws; they imposed tariffs on foreign wheats and effectively banned imports until the price of wheat reached 80 shillings quarter. ( people argued they benefited rich land owners and further impoverished the poor.)
25
Q

Arguments AGAINST the Corn Laws.

A
  • They don’t need to be self sufficient as its unlikely there will be another war very soon.
  • employers have more money to employ more but they aren’t.
  • if the poor starve we will have nobody to fight this imaginary future war.
  • not going to be selling much corn.
26
Q

What happened to RADICALISM after the corn laws ?

A

no body was being distracted by the war and the economic situation was bad and there was unhappy views about the governments choices so radicalism and radical groups started to rise again.

27
Q

WHO was WILLIAM COBBET and WHAT were his main COMPLAINTS ?

A

William Cobbett was a writer who produced incredibly accessible and widely published and popular leaflets about reform and radicalism.

MAIN COMPLAINTS:

  • the people had no say in what happened to their own country
  • the public are being taxed too much and they aren’t seeing any benefits at all really.
  • the division in life style between poor and the aristocracy.
28
Q

WHY was William Cobbett so influential ?

A

his work was cheap and widely available. the majority of his work was very accessible and it came out about the time when the working class where really unhappy and they really needed hope and guidance. And the war was over so people could question the governments decisions without being charged with treasonable offences.

29
Q

When was they poor harvest and what did it do to Cobbett’s popularity ?

A

1816-1817 and his popularity grew greatly as more and more poor people were more unhappy

30
Q

Hamden Clubs; what are there aims?, how where they organised?, and what activities did they do ?.

A

S = STRENGTH W = WEAKNESS

MEMBERSHIP AND ORGANISATION :

  • most popular in industry heartlands e.g.. Lancashire and Yorkshire. S
  • and many could join S
  • pay 1d per week W
  • membership was limited by the fear of the gov. W
  • middle-class didn’t join as they were afraid of revolutionW

AIMS:

  • to win respectable reform
  • achieve manhood suffrage
  • abolish the corn laws

ACTIVITIES:

  • use sub money to finance pamphlets S
  • collect signatures for petitions S
  • they were careful not to fall under anti seditious acts. S
  • they faced great danger from gov. spies and investigations. W

In 1817 several leading figures were arrested. Including SAMUEL BAMFORD. W

31
Q

WHO was HENRY ‘ORATOR’ HUNT ?

A

He was a leading figure of the early radicals and he was an incredible speech writer and speaker. he inspired people and inspired them to support, be loyal and devout.

32
Q

what were the SIMILARITIES and DIFFERENCES between COBBETT and HUNT ?

A

SIMILARITIES:

  • prefer open meetings/protests.
  • peaceful
  • same aims for working class reforms
  • upbringing (wealthy farm)

DIFFERENCES:

  • It has been argued that HUNT is a bad person
  • HUNT agreed with political clubs but not COBBETT.
  • HUNT was a good speaker but COBBETT was a great writer.
33
Q

SPECIFY the following for this event : SPA FIELDS

WHEN ?
WHERE ?
KEY PLAYERS ?
EVENTS ?
VIEW FROM ABOVE AND BELOW ?
SIGNIFICANCE?
A

WHEN : December 1816
WHERE : spa fields in London
KEY PLAYERS : Hunt, Prince regent and John castle
EVENTS : Hunt gave a speech urging people to sign his petition, before the speech there had been a small riot. the petition had been denied twice before so violence had been expected.
VIEW FROM ABOVE AND BELOW :
ABOVE: scared as they thought there was going to be another revolution.
BELOW: angry because their petition had been denied so many times and they were excited to hear hunt. most were peace full
SIGNIFICANCE :
there is a large debate about whether or not this was a revolutionary event. it is significant in starting up the governments fears once again and it scared a lot of people a great deal.

34
Q

SPECIFY the following for this event : THE PENTRICH UPRISING

WHEN ?
WHERE ?
KEY PLAYERS ?
EVENTS ?
VIEW FROM ABOVE AND BELOW ?
SIGNIFICANCE?
A

WHEN : June 1817
WHERE : Nottinghamshire
KEY PLAYERS : William Oliver
EVENTS : there was massive march by argue of drunk men who were being lead to their arrest by a government spy William Oliver.
VIEW FROM ABOVE AND BELOW :
ABOVE: The men needed to be stopped and that Oliver had no part in convincing the men to act outside of the law.
BELOW: the government and Oliver manipulate date whole thing .
SIGNIFICANCE : it was debated whether the gov went oo far and how much this was them making an excuse to bring in harsh laws. not sig as it was just a bunch of drunk old men who were no threat to anyone but themselves.

35
Q

SPECIFY the following for this event : THE MARCH OF THE BLANKETEERS

WHEN ?
WHERE ?
KEY PLAYERS ?
EVENTS ?
VIEW FROM ABOVE AND BELOW ?
SIGNIFICANCE?
A

WHEN : 10th March 1817
WHERE : Manchester
KEY PLAYERS : -
EVENTS : 5,000 mainly weavers gathered and marched in small groups so that they wouldn’t get arrested but they were. they were marching because their industry was being closed down.
VIEW FROM ABOVE AND BELOW :
ABOVE: argued that the marchers wanted revolution
BELOW: wanted to kindly plead with the government and prince for reform they didn’t want revolution.
SIGNIFICANCE : it was quite sig as it had a large negative effect on how the government debt with reformers.

36
Q

SPECIFY the following for this event : PETERLOO

WHEN ?
WHERE ?
KEY PLAYERS ?
EVENTS ?
VIEW FROM ABOVE AND BELOW ?
SIGNIFICANCE?
A

WHEN : August 1819
WHERE : St. Peters field in manchester
KEY PLAYERS : Hunt
EVENTS : 60,000 people gathered to hear hunt speak and it was all peaceful until he arrived and the yeomanry and cavalry attacked innocent people, 11 people died many were arrested including hunt and some accused the yeomanry of being drunk. became known peterloo in reference to waterloo.
VIEW FROM ABOVE AND BELOW :
ABOVE: They were being rowdy and needed to be contained and controlled, they are all revolutionaries
BELOW: the yeomanry and cavalry are way out of line
SIGNIFICANCE : very significant point in which many peoples opinion of the gov and radical switched

37
Q

SPECIFY the following for this event : THE SIX ACTS

WHEN ?
WHERE ?
KEY PLAYERS ?
EVENTS ?
VIEW FROM ABOVE AND BELOW ?
SIGNIFICANCE?
A

WHEN : 1819
EVENTS :
1. act forbidding unauthorised military training GAG ACT
2. act giving magistrates the emergency powers to search houses for weaponsGAG ACT
3. act preventing all but the smalest of meetingsGAG ACT
4. act preventing evasion of newspaper stamp duty
5. act enabling magistrates to seize and destroy seditious and blasphemous publications.
6. act preventing delays by the accused in blasphemy and treason trials
VIEW FROM ABOVE AND BELOW :
ABOVE: There is legitimate reason for these and they will eliminate the terrifying threat of revolution so they are a positive thing
BELOW : The acts are just an excuse to stop reform bills and progress in parliament being made as it would mean a load of them would lose their jobs.
SIGNIFICANCE : Hugely significant as it shut down reformers almost entirely.

38
Q

WHAT paragraph topics would you use for this essay Q ?

to what extent was poverty the cause of popular radicalism 1790 - 1819 ?

A
  • poverty
  • against poverty
  • economic and social change
  • ideology / support for another system
  • opposition to the gov and aristocracy
39
Q

WHAT paragraph topics would you use for this essay Q ?

how accurate is it to say that the strength of the radical reformers movement in the years 1790 -1819 depended predominantly on the extent of economic hardship and discontent ?

A
  • econ factors 1, problems 2, controversial policies

- political factors : 3, ideas and influences of other politics 4,, demographic change and politicalisation

40
Q

WHAT paragraph topics would you use for this essay Q ?

how great a threat did radical reformers pose to gov 1790 - 1819 ?

A
  • significant threat , developed organisation and support
  • perceptions significant, the gov saw them as a threat
  • insignificant, weakness of the movement
  • insignificant, they were easily controlled by the gov policies
41
Q

WHAT paragraph topics would you use for this essay Q ?

how effective was the gov at dealing with the threat of radical reformers from 1790-1819

A
  • effective, strength of their policies
  • ineff , the extent of the strength , question /\
  • ineff , bad strategies
  • in/eff, other reasons e.g.. weakness of rads, econ cycle.
42
Q

WHAT paragraph topics would you use for this essay Q ?

brutal repression explains the defeat of radicalism in Britain in the 1790s HFDYA ?

A
  • evidence brutal repression by the gov
  • evaluate and discuss the extent to /\
  • evidence of other factors, e.g.. radical leadership and unity weak
  • evidence of other factors, events in France and loyalism
43
Q

WHAT paragraph topics would you use for this essay Q ?

the lack of widespread popular support was the main reason for the failure of the radical reformers to achieve reform in the year 1790-1819 HFDYA?

A
  • agree
  • to some extent /\
  • government response
  • radical leadership & unity
  • economic conditions
44
Q

WHAT paragraph topics would you use for this essay Q ?

HFDYA that radical reformers achieved very little 1790-1819 ?

A
  • AGREE , failed achieve their aims
  • AGREE, the movement was weak
  • DISAGREE, the movement was developing and strong
  • DISAGREE, had a big impact