Pitt and Repression in the 1790s

Question 1

Explain why

Answer 1

Pitt’s government used repression in the 1790s.

Question 2

Paragraph 1: The French Revolution

Answer 2

• There was great concern amongst the political elites about the effect the French Revolution 1789 would have on Britain.
• Political elites feared similar problems in Britain. This feeling became stronger in 1792.
• It was thought the Revolution would become inspiration to radicals and revolutionary activity in Britain.
• Example: of repression are the treason trials of 1793-4 that saw many people including the Rev. Thomas Palmer sentenced to transportation.

Question 3

Paragraph 2: Increasing Radical Activity (part one)

Answer 3

• Some within the radical movement were influenced by the French Revolution, e.g. Thomas Paine.
• The French Revolution gave momentum to radicalism in Britain.
• The press was used to attack authority and promote radicals’ causes. It was shown that pamphleteering and petitioning could be very effective.

Question 4

Paragraph 2: Increasing Radical Activity (part two)

Answer 4

• Example: John Wilkes who campaigned for press freedom published the ‘North Briton’ of which the number 45 edition directly criticised George III. The government suspended Habeas Corpus (1794) as an attempt to control radicals and radicalism by detaining suspects without trial.
• Example of repression - ‘Treason Trials’, Habeas Corpus suspended (1794)

Question 5

Paragraph 3: The power of Authority (part one)

Answer 5

• There was a general fear of the ‘mob’ i.e. the lower classes at this time.
• As well as connotations with the French Revolution, the rise of the ‘mob’ reflected a dislike of the increasing numbers of urban poor and the growth of towns and cities around industry
• Example: Supporters of John Wilkes shouting ‘Damn the King’. Introduction of ‘Two Acts’ after King’s Coach was attacked.
• There was no standing police force at the time and the prospect of widespread civil unrest and revolutionary activity was frightening to politicians, Lords, and leaders of the day.

Question 6

Paragraph 3: The power of Authority (part two)

Answer 6

• The Government used its authority to prevent any serious radical or revolutionary activity
• Examples: Suppression of radical activity (removing licences) replaced by spies and informers. Alien Section and Secret Service Section was set up, ‘Treason Trials’ (1793-4), Combination Laws, Government Propaganda.

Question 7

Paragraph 4: Mounting Pressure on the Government (part one)

Answer 7

• After February 1793 Britain was at war with France. Thus the policies seen in paragraph 3 must be seen in this context. Many - e.g. The Combination Laws were considered temporary.
• By the mid-1790’s the Government was under pressure e.g. War with France, bad harvests, King’s Coach Attacked(1795), Naval Mutinies(1797), a French invasion of Pembroke and trouble in Ireland. Also Blakc Lamp Conspiracy 1800-02 and the Despard Conspiracy.
• Example: Conservative propaganda to stoke up popular patriotism.
• These policies were popular with many, e.g. John Reeves’ loyalist organizations set up in 1792 and the Church and King Clubs were examples of this.

Question 8

Paragraph 4: Mounting Pressure on the Government (part two)

Answer 8

• Example: Conservative propaganda to stoke up popular patriotism.
• These policies were popular with many, e.g. John Reeves’ loyalist organizations set up in 1792 and the Church and King Clubs were examples of this.

Question 9

Conclusion

Answer 9

• Discuss the relative weighting of the factors above.
• The main point to stress is the extraordinary circumstances facing Pitt: the French Revolution was the key event and the growth of radical activity (including the press) was threatening in this context.
• The fear of radicalism was a fear of violence and unrest.
• The measures were not meant to be long term, which links back to the main point