Pitt to Peel Flashcards
How serious was the radical threat to Liverpool’s government 1812-22? Essay sections
Size/location/who/tactics, Leadership/organisation, motives/aims, Response, (evidence)
How serious was the radical threat to Liverpool’s government 1812-22? Size/location/who/tactics
Luddite riots- sporadic + small, aimed to get jobs back
(1812-17 Manchester, Leeds)
Peterloo massacre- Peaceful protest only seen as a threat due to size + reaction (1819, 50,000-60,000 ppl)
Henry Hunt speaking, 15 killed 400 wounded
Queen Caroline affair 1821- was a threat due to WHO (tried to claim Queen, but divorced by George IV)
Pentrich uprising- purely working Class - easily stopped
How serious was the radical threat to Liverpool’s government 1812-22? Leadership/organisation
Henry Hunt- key influential figure but not a threat- Didn’t incite violence, aimed for legal reform
Spa Fields riots- drunken brawl, no organisation, incited by Thomas Spence/Spenceans (1816)
How serious was the radical threat to Liverpool’s government 1812-22? Motives/aims
Peterloo + Henry Hunt - peaceful reformer crowd
BUT Cato St conspiracy- did have serious tactics/aims to blow up Government officials (but discovered by spy John Castle/only 20 members anyway)
How serious was the radical threat to Liverpool’s government 1812-22? Response
Frame breaking act - logical response to Luddites
However response seemed to become more extreme/ paranoid towards 1820s- Peterloo massacre 1819- 15 killed and 400 injured
To what extent were the Tory governments of 1822-29 liberal? Essay sections
Penal reform, Economic reforms, Social/work reforms, religion, (limitations/comparison to other time periods)
To what extent were the Tory governments of 1822-29 liberal? Penal reform
motives for penal reform were not liberal.
death penalty for trivial crimes removed for some- 1823
1822-28- still approx. 63 executions/year - not much change from 1805-12.
Juries regulation act- 1825, regulated qualification for jury services- somewhat liberal
Death penalty still in place for some trivial crimes
To what extent were the Tory governments of 1822-29 liberal? Economic reforms
Maximum duty on imported goods set at 30%- liberal idea- but low import tax meant taxes placed on all products when bought- poor had to pay as much as the rich- not liberal
1828- sliding scale on corn prices gave more flexibility on trade/benefitted the majority of the WC- liberal
To what extent were the Tory governments of 1822-29 liberal? Social/work reforms
combination acts only really repealed for a year- repealed 1824, but intro of combinations of workmen act stopped striking again 1825- illiberal
Issues such as slavery still not properly addressed
To what extent were the Tory governments of 1822-29 liberal? Religion
1828: Test + corporations act repealed- dissenters could become MPS
1829: Catholic emancipation passed- but illegalised Catholic association, 90% Ireland still Catholic and represented by Protestants- voting qualification raised to £10 property excluding poorer Catholics from voting- 80,000 Catholics lost right to vote
How great was the GRA? Essay sections
Constituencies, Electorate and voting system, MPs and Power, Passing of the Act/long term (perspective/definitions of Great)
How successfully did Pitt deal with the radical challenge? Essay sections
Pitt’s reign of terror, Loyalist groups, Weaknesses of the radical groups
How successful was Pitt’s foreign policy up to 1793? Essay sections
Ending diplomatic isolation, unresolved problems, reaction to the French revolution, reaction to outbreak of war with France (declaration of war)
How successful was Pitt as a wartime leader? Essay sections
Naval supremacy, financial management/leadership, coalitions and allies, (failures)
Assess the reasons for Britain’s success in the wars against Napoleon? Essay sections
Naval warfare, Naval blockade, military, political coalitions (mistakes/other factors)
How successful was Castlereagh in achieving his foreign policy aims? Essay sections
The threat from France, Ensuing balance of power in Europe, supporting Britain’s trading interests, (other implications- naval supremacy/reduction of expenditure)
How far was Canning’s foreign policy more successful and more liberal than Castlereagh’s? Essay sections
Maintaining the “balance of power” in Europe, ensuring Russia didn’t threaten British interests, protecting British trade, allies/coalitions (popularity at home)
Why was the Catholic emancipation act of 1829 passed? Essay sections
Outside pressures/catholic association, county clare election, avoidance of civil war, genuine liberalism
Why was the GRA passed? Essay sections
Electoral gain, prevent revolution, stop competition between urban and rural counties, genuine desire
How serious were the radical threats facing Pitt and Britain in the 1790s? Essay sections
Weakness of the radicals in the early 1790s, Pitt’s response, Loyalists, late 1790s
How far was Pitt responsible for a national revival in Finance, administration and trade in the 1790s? Essay sections
Finance, Administration, trade, (mistakes), work of others
To what extent was royal support the most important factor in Pitt’s domination of politics from 1783-1793? Essay sections
Royal support, Pitt’s political skill, Whig weaknesses, circumstances
How great was the GRA? Constituencies
Rotten boroughs disenfranchised (e.g. Old Sarum)
New manufacturing cities had 2MPs (Sheffield) - but still 31 boroughs with less than 300 voters- still a North/south divide
How great was the GRA? Electorate/voting system
Landlord intimidation still an issue- open voting
11% to 18% increase in voting pop- 82% male population still unable to vote
But was a uniform voting qualification of £10
How great was the GRA? MPs and Power
More power to the middle class- could become MPs, but in the next 30 yrs only 14 cabinet members were MC But working class still had no power/vote- but arguably became more politically aware, formation of the chartist movement
How great was the GRA? passing of the act/long term
Step towards democracy in the long term
Registration of all voters simulated (although at first limited) stimulated greater party organisation (national + local). Decline in independent MPs
Greater influence of the electorate (passed despite opposition within the Gov.) moving away from complete power of the House of Lords/monarchy
How successfully did Pitt deal with the radical challenge? Pitt’s reign of terror
Intimidation: magistrates, (pub licenses) home office secret service
show trials- created fear but simultaneously martyrs for the radicals (Thomas Muir and Rev. Thomas Palmer- both sentenced to transportation. ‘Treason trials’ 1794- arrest of leading radicals, e.g. Thomas Hardy)
Suspension of Habeus corpus in 1794- but few ever arrested with it during its suspension.
How successfully did Pitt deal with the radical challenge? Loyalist groups
Church and King clubs: defending against non-Anglican church groups which they thought were created by radicals
Reeves associations: nationwide, up to 2000 branches, use of force-incited B’mingham riots- often more violent than the radicals
How successfully did Pitt deal with the radical challenge? Weakness of the radical groups
London Corresponding society 1791-2- not much success, lacked a leader or clear direction
Radical food riots May 1795- poorly organised and poorly led
How successful was Pitt’s foreign policy up to 1793? ending diplomatic isolation
March 1786 Eden Treaty- willingness to establish peace with France, economic benefits for UK, (until war in 1793)
Triple alliance with Prussia and Utd. Provinces- strengthened UK position in Europe after embarrassing defeat in USA wars.
Pitt clear that he wouldn’t interfere in E. European affairs avoiding economic/military strain this would have caused in UK
How successful was Pitt’s foreign policy up to 1793? Unresolved problems
Still unresolved issues- Russian expansion- threat that this would pose to India- but unsolvable- Russia had much larger army + would have prevented the later alliance with Britain- helped to defeat French.
Unresolved issues as minimal as possible
How successful was Pitt’s foreign policy up to 1793? Reaction to the French revolution
Slow reaction- naïve reaction rather than optimistic in options of outcome, intervention prior to 1793 could have meant Austrian/Prussian success in 1792- would have prevented the long war post-1793
However prior to 1793 France had not broken any treaty obligations- no direct British interest
How successful was Pitt’s foreign policy up to 1793? Reaction to outbreak of war with France
Once French threat apparent- decisive action- 1793- following execution of Louis XVI- expulsion of French ambassador, French trade embargo on British/Dutch trade responded to with war declaration 11th Feb 1793.
How successful was Pitt as a wartime leader? Naval supremacy
Pitt had extended Navy pre-1793 by building large warships, 1795 Quota act- requiring English counties and London to provide recruits, 1794 Admiral Lord Howe destroyed 22 French battle ships (Battle of the 1st June) 1797 victory Cape St Vincent, 1798 destruction of French fleet in Egypt by Nelson.
How successful was Pitt as a wartime leader? Naval blockade
Kept control of the channel, which = security, maintained a demanding blockade with France- showed his tactical/calculated position on war
Orders of council introduction in the longer term starved France of supplies to help their war effort and also improved Britain’s economy
How successful was Pitt as a wartime leader? Military
Pitt primarily used financial successes to subsidise allies rather than sacrifice Britain’s small land forces. Played a significant role in the Peninsular war - prevented Napoleon’s ability to control the area and ensured the defeat of the continental system
How successful was Pitt as a wartime leader? political coalitions
ultimately rather weak and divided and did not play a key role. Austria and Prussia were poor allies- little interest in North East Europe- more concerned with Poland. Furthermore, the estimated £600 mil spent on subsidising allies would have ultimately been useless had Napoleon not been so determined to continue the struggle.
How successful was Castlereagh in achieving his foreign policy aims? The threat from France
Prioritised the complete defeat of Napoleon; British forces too small to tackle France, focused on action through coalitions- ensure British safety and ability to trade freely. Treaty of Chaumont with(Russia/Spain/Portugal/Austria/Sweden/Bavaria/Saxony), aided them with £26 million to ensure French defeat. 20,000 of the allied troops invaded Spain/other countries. Vast range of military successes. By 1815 aim to reduce threat of France achieved
How successful was Castlereagh in achieving his foreign policy aims? Ensuring the balance of power in Europe
Aim; co-operation between countries to maintain peace
Congress of Vienna: France contained, Austrians gave up Belgium, Low countries made easier to defend under one rule, Holland given help to build border fortresses against France, France’s borders returned to pre-1790. Prevention of dominance of any one country
How successful was Castlereagh in achieving his foreign policy aims? Supporting Britain’s trading interests
Congress of Vienna: Britain gained Malta/Ionian islands/Heligoland in the North Sea. Also gained Ceylon/Mauritius which reinforced British position in South Asia. Success: by 1815 trading had increased + great powers had guaranteed no major power would occupy the vital area from which Britain could be invaded
How far was Canning’s foreign policy more successful and more liberal than Castlereagh’s? Maintaining the “balance of power” within Europe
Castlereagh: success in Congress of Vienna; France contained-France’s borders returned to pre-1790 & Low countries made easier to defend under one rule.
Canning: Spanish crisis- lack of success- tried to prevent intervention in liberal Spanish rev., didn’t want to see extension of French influence- but withdrew from congress of Verona in 1822 unable to stop French intervention
How far was Canning’s foreign policy more successful than Castlereagh’s? Prevention of Russian threat to Britain
Castlereagh: secured good relations with Austria’s foreign minister Prince von Metternich- which he hoped would allow for coalition (perhaps against the threat of Russian expansion)
Canning: Destroyed relations with Austria- failed to form an alliance with them, resorted to an alliance with Russia in attempt to influence Russia’s actions (London, July 1827 treaty with Russia- largely liberal based)
How far was Canning’s foreign policy more liberal than Castlereagh’s? protecting British trade
Castlereagh:Congress of Vienna: Britain gained Malta/Ionian islands/Heligoland in the North Sea. Also gained Ceylon/Mauritius which reinforced British position in South Asia. Success: by 1815 trading had increased
Canning: by mid 1820s 10% British exports to Latin America. Maintained this by not Co-operating with Portuguese/Spanish who otherwise would have gained back control of Latin America- liberal in action but not in aim (to keep trade for themselves)
Why was the GRA passed? Electoral gain
Whigs had been out office for a generation Extended borough franchise to £10 householders- they could create a largely non-conformist/middle class electorate -largely Whig in nature- would vote Whig
Why was the GRA passed? prevent revolution
Threat of Revolution 1831-32: forced to make concessions to reform (e.g. Days of May- BPU meeting 200,000)- wanted to unhinge union between middle and lower classes, wanted to redistribute parliamentary seats to the ‘respectable’ urban middle classes- prevent power of the ‘rabble’
Why was the GRA passed? Genuine desire
Saw ordered reform as both morally justifiable and necessary to prevent political structures being misaligned from the process of economic and social change in Britain
Why was the GRA passed? Stop competition between the urban and rural communities
Make system more effective- enfranchised tenant farmers- but they forfeited the right to vote if they qualified for borough elections- trying to stop upper class influence on lower-middle class voters (Whig voters) BUT criticised as Whigs wouldn’t have had the statistics to make decisions about class balance
To what extent was royal support the most important factor in Pitt’s domination of politics during the period from 1783 to 1793? Royal support
Pitt’s inexperience- Without Royal support would be unlikely he would have even become PM.
Delayed election until March 1784- So that Pitt could gather support- if election had not been delayed he likely would have been voted out
To what extent was royal support the most important factor in Pitt’s domination of politics during the period from 1783 to 1793? Pitt’s political skill
Pragmatism about political reform post-April 1785: Failed to pass electoral reform to end rotten boroughs in 1785- but showed pragmatism in abandoning this issue and pursuing administration and economic reform didn’t oppose those that kept him in power.
Stayed PM through regency crisis- 1788: Despite regency crisis Pitt continued to stay PM- suggests he must have had at least some political skill outside of Royal support
To what extent was royal support the most important factor in Pitt’s domination of politics during the period from 1783 to 1793? Whig weakness
Didn’t exploit mince pie ministry: Could have forced an election whereby Pitt would have been unlikely to win/would have lost his power
Didn’t exploit regency crisis: Didn’t take advantage of Pitt’s loss of royal support to challenge his power
To what extent was royal support the most important factor in Pitt’s domination of politics during the period from 1783 to 1793? Circumstance
Lord North discredited: Failed coalition with Fox 1782-83 meant he lost support, and Britain’s defeat in the American war of independence lost him support from the public too.
New era of peacetime- although with its hardships, a lucky circumstance meant Pitt could ride the wave of lessening hardship that generally occurred after war. Improving economy also made Pitt seem a better PM- even though he was mostly just riding the wave of opportunity
How far was Pitt responsible for a national revival in Finance, Administration and Trade in the 1780s? Finance
1784 commutations act- reduced import duties, tea duties 119% to 25% - Couldn’t stop smuggling, annual revenue down £3 mil by 1792 from imported goods + despite the effort to stop smuggling it still happened.
1786 sinking fund act- £1 mil put in fund + gov were to try and earn interest on it
1793 the debt was reduced to £10 mil, gave investment confidence boost BUT useless in wartime
1786- civil list act: Royal money reduced and the King’s estate more efficiently and profitably managed
How far was Pitt responsible for a national revival in Finance, Administration and Trade in the 1780s? Administration
1784: East India bill: Board set up to control the powers of the EIC
1787: Consolidated funds act: 130 exchequer accounts into 1
Appointment of strong administrators to head departments to head departments: Richard Frewin- head of customs and helped develop consolidation of funds & Got rid of sinecures; phased out over time
How serious were the radical challenges facing Pitt and Britain during the 1790s? Weakness of the radicals in the early 1790s
Radical writings aimed at reform: didn’t want revolution just legal reform through the gov- Thomas Paine – Rights of Man 1791
London Corresponding society: May have only had 1000 members + few active members; also confusion over actual aims and little organisation, gov overreaction to such a small threat
How serious were the radical challenges facing Pitt and Britain during the 1790s? Pitt’s response
Local magistrates: could withdraw pub licenses for hosting radical activities
Extension of home office power: Alien section + small secret service successfully infiltrated the LCS
2 acts: broadened definition of treason and treasonable offences
seditious meetings act: banned meetings of 50 or more people Dec 1795
Suspension of Habeas Corpus 1794: but in the time it was suspended, hardly anyone actually arrested/tried using it
How serious were the radical challenges facing Pitt and Britain during the 1790s? Loyalists
Church and King clubs- traditionalism, protection of gov, anti-radical groups Reeves associations- National organisation, up to 2000 branches, more influence than radicals on the middle class and upper class; also used methods of intimidation, often more violent methods than the radicals but not oppressed by the gov; effective force against the radicals.
How serious were the radical challenges facing Pitt and Britain during the 1790s? Late 1790s
Black Lamp conspiracy: Probably fabricated by gov spies (such as Oliver), gov willing to believe this suggests their paranoia/overreaction
April 1797 Spithead Naval mutiny: Easily solved; pay + working conditions
Nore Naval mutiny 1797: led by Richard Parker of LCS, more serious, blockaded Thames and threatened to defect to French navy, 36 executed, 400 flogged/ transported. Although much more of a threat than previous uprisings it was still one isolated incident, not a widespread radical feeling
