Lord Liverpool's Response to Post War Distress and Discontent

Question 1

Lord Liverpool’s Government and the Radical Challenge, 1812-1822

Answer 1

The main aim of Liverpool’s government was to preserve law and order rather than to remove the cause of grievance. Lord Liverpool, who had witnessed the outbreak of the French Revolution at first hand while in Paris, was determined to avoid a revolution taking place in Britain. A policy of repression was embarked upon, directed by Sidmouth. This can be seen as following the example set by Pitt in the 1790’s.

Question 2

Key Features of Government Repression 1815-1820 (part one)

Answer 2

1. In the absence of a police force the government relied upon spies, informers and agent provocatives to gather information about plots and secure convictions.
2. The Habeas Corpus Act was suspend in 1817 enabling suspects to be arrested without trial or charge for an indefinite period. In 1817, in the wake of the Spa Field Riots the government banned seditious meetings.

Question 3

Key Features of Government Repression 1815-1820 (part two)

Answer 3

• The Six Acts (1819) (‘Gag Acts’): These were the government’s reply to Peterloo - JPs could search houses without warrants for weapons, all drilling and military training by private individuals was banned; political houses without waiting for a judge and jury; the stamp duty of pamphlets and periodicals was increased, making them more expensive for the working class to buy radical literature.

Question 4

why did Lord Liverpool’s Government Introduce Repression, 1815-20? (part one)

Answer 4

• Maintain law and order = Six Acts (1819)
• No police = use of spies informers and agent provocateurs
• Prevent revolution
• Lord Liverpool had witnessed the outbreak of the French Revolution 1789
• Liverpool followed the example set by Pitt
• Prevent spread of radical literature and ideas amongst W/C e.g. Stamp Duties Act (1819) (1 of the Six Acts).

Question 5

why did Lord Liverpool’s Government Introduce Repression, 1815-20? (part two)

Answer 5

• Radical protests 1815-20 e.g. Derbyshire and Pentrich rising (1817); March of the Blanketeers (1817)
• Prevent further protests e.g. Suspension of Habeas Corpus (1817)
• Prevent Parliamentary Reform
• Show power of the state and instil fear in the radicals e.g. Seditious Meetings Act (1817)
• Not concerned with solving causes

Question 6

How did Britain Avoid Revolution 1815-20?

Answer 6

• Govt repression e.g. Six Acts (1819), Suspension of Habeas Corpus (1817).
• Govt managed to preserve law and order e.g. use of spies, informers and agent provocateurs.
• Army remained loyal - law enforcement
• Traditional ruling class did not lose its nerve
• No revolutionary group ready to take power = reform not revolution
• Methodism