Lord Liverpool's Government- Policies Flashcards
Liverpool's policies, bills, acts and events during his term in parliament
Repeal of Income Tax
1816:
First introduced by Pitt the Younger to fund the Napoleonic Wars, the income tax was essential for government revenue. It was unpopular, especially among the middle and upper classes, who found it burdensome and unfair. Due to public pressure and economic changes, the British government repealed the income tax with the Finance Act of 1816.
The Amending Act 1824 - extra information
1824:
The 1824 Amending Act, known as the “Vagrancy Act 1824,” made it illegal to be a “rogue and vagabond” or an “incorrigible rogue.” This included activities like begging, prostitution, and homelessness. The act gave police and magistrates the authority to arrest and deal with these individuals.
Repeal of the Combination Acts
When was it? And what was it? and What did it do?
1824:
Combination Acts of 1799 and 1800: Introduced to prevent workers from gathering and forming unions.
Industrial Revolution: By the early 1820s, harsh working conditions (long hours, low pay, unsafe environments) led to pressure for change.
Reformers: Politicians like Francis Place pushed for worker rights.
Repeal: The repeal of the Combination Acts legalized trade unions and allowed collective bargaining, marking a significant shift in labour policy and recognizing the legitimacy of worker organization.
Cato Street Conspiracy
1820:
Leader: Arthur Thistlewood, a radical agitator, led the conspiracy.
Plan: They aimed to assassinate key government officials, including Prime Minister Lord Liverpool, by ambushing them at a dinner.
Location: The plot was to take place at a stable in Cato Street, London.
Betrayal: A government spy infiltrated the group and informed the authorities.
Outcome: The conspirators were captured, tried for high treason, and found guilty. Thistlewood and four others were executed on May 1, 1820.
Impact: The conspiracy led to increased government surveillance of radical groups and stricter measures against dissent.
Corn Laws
1815 :
Introduced in 1815 after the Napoleonic Wars to protect British farmers.
Aimed to keep grain prices high by restricting foreign imports until domestic prices reached 80 shillings per quarter.
Made bread and other staples more expensive, hurting the urban poor and workers.
Industrial workers and factory owners were unhappy because high food prices increased living costs and reduced disposable income
March of the Blanketeers
1817:
The 1817 March of the Blanketeers was a protest by unemployed workers in Manchester. They marched to London to demand better conditions, carrying blankets for bedding. The government stopped the march and arrested many participants.
Significance:
Despite its failure, the march remains a significant episode in the history of working-class protest in Britain.
Highlights the social and economic tensions of the time and the government’s response to labour unrest.
Penal Code Reform
1824:
In 1824, the British government reformed the penal code to simplify and modernize the criminal laws. This reform aimed to make the legal system more consistent and fair, reducing the number of crimes punishable by death and addressing issues in the justice system, particularly in London. The system was perfected by Sir Robert Peel.
In summary, the 1824 Penal Code Reform under Liverpool’s government was a transformative moment in British legal history, marking a shift towards a more humane, equitable, and modern approach to criminal justice.
New Look Tories
When the Tories took a more liberal approach in their policies.
Truck Act
1819:
The 1819 Truck Act made it illegal for employers to pay workers with goods instead of money. This ensured workers received fair wages in cash. It protected workers from unfair practices and empowered authorities to enforce the law.
Overall, the 1819 Truck Act played a crucial role in promoting fair labor practices and protecting the rights of workers in Britain during the early 19th century
Six Acts
1819:
The Six Acts of 1819 were a series of laws passed by the British Parliament during the government of Prime Minister Robert Jenkinson, Earl of Liverpool. These acts were aimed at suppressing dissent and maintaining order in the aftermath of social and political unrest, particularly the Peterloo Massacre.
Name three of Liverpool’s repressive policies
Any three of the following:
Six Acts
Corn Laws
New Look Tories
Repeal of the Combination Act
Amending Act
Transportation of offenders to Australia
Cato Street Conspiracy
March of the Blanketeers
Name three of Liverpool’s reforming policies
Repeal of Income tax
Penal code reform
If Corn Laws then why…?
Factory Act
Truck Act0
If New Look Tories then why…?
Queen’s Affair
1820:
King George IV sought to divorce his wife, Queen Caroline, due to their troubled marriage and allegations of her alleged misconduct.
Liverpool, sought to discredit Caroline and dissolve the marriage, believing it would strengthen the king’s position and protect the monarchy’s reputation.
Relief and Toleration Act
1819:
The Relief and Toleration Act of 1819 aimed to give more rights to Protestant dissenters and nonconformists in Britain. It got rid of unfair laws that punished them for their beliefs, promoting religious freedom and tolerance. This allowed dissenters and nonconformists to participate more freely in society and politics.
Spa Field Riots
1816:
The Relief and Toleration Act of 1819 aimed to give more rights to Protestant dissenters and nonconformists in Britain. It got rid of unfair
The government cracked down on the rioters, and several leaders, including Hunt, were arrested and tried for their involvement in the riots. The Spa Fields Riots highlighted the social tensions and demands for reform that characterized the post-war period in Britain.
