Government response throughout the 1790s

Question 1

What was passed in 1792, what did it allow the government to do?

Answer 1

Royal Proclamation Against Seditious Writings and Publications - Govt. could now use spies, infiltrate radical groups

Question 2

What did the govt. do in 1794, what was the effect of this?

Answer 2

Suspension of Habeas Corpus - Suspects could be detained indefinitely without trial
Treason trials - 41 radicals (13 from LCS) arrested and charged with high treason (all were released)

Question 3

What laws were passed in 1795?

Answer 3

‘The Two Acts’- Treasonable practices act and seditious meetings act - First made spoken and written radical ideas illegal, second prohibited meetings of more than 50 people without a magistrate

Question 4

What was the effect of this legislation over the decade?

Answer 4

Radicalsim largley silenced by 1795

Govt. had successfully intimidated the radical movement, many were too scared to join radiclas now