Government response to protest - 1790-1819

Question 1

what was the trial of the LCS leaders?

Answer 1

• LCS called for National Reform Convention 1794
• Government arrested several leaders of the LCS and charged them with high treason
• Trial took place 1794 but all LCS members aquitted
• failed to present convincing evidence for ‘plan’ to assassinate George III

Question 2

What was the Treason Act?

Answer 2

• 1795
• failure of LCS trails induced this law
• made it an offence to kill or harm the king
• treason was defined as any intention to ‘intimidate or threaten either Houses or Parliament’
• meant anyone outside parliament who called for parliamentary reform could be charged with treason

Question 3

what was the Seditious Meetings Act?

Answer 3

• 1795
• restricted the size of public meetings to 50 people
• unless approved in advance by Magistrates

Question 4

what was the Gagging Act?

Answer 4

• 1817
• 1817 Treason Act suspended Habeas Corpus (going to court) for those suspected of treasonable activity
• gave ministers more time to prepare against radicals
• 1817 Seditious Meetings Act gave Justices of Peace power to attend any public meeting
• also meant all societies that had to swear secrecy were banned

Question 5

Were the 1795 Acts successful?

Answer 5

They served their purpose as radical activity diminished and supported for many years as the patriotic feeling of the war with France

Question 6

Were the Gagging acts successful?

Answer 6

they were successful in the short term but lapsed in 1818 causing a rise in radical activity

Question 7

What were the 6 Acts?

Answer 7

• 1919
• Unlawful Drilling Act banned any unlawful military style drilling
• Seizure of Arms Act allowed any magistrate to enter any property where arms where suspected to be stored
• Criminal Libels Act introduces a penalty for transporting for libellous writing
• Newspaper and Stamp duty Act meant the number of publication that had to pay the duty was increased and the cost was raised
• Misdemeanour Act reduced the chance for bail
• Another Seditious Meetings Act

Question 8

Were the 6 Acts successful?

Answer 8

they had the desired effect as calm was restored and there was no repetition of Peterloo