Radical Reformers 1780-1819 Flashcards
What was the impact of the American Revolution on Britain?
- Proved political reform was obtainable.
- Proved that principles of democracy could be established in a written constitution.
- Made more question the injustice of paying taxes and the rule of the monarch.
What was the initial impaact of the French Revolution on GB?
- Inspired radicals that a change was possible.
- Showed that reform could be achieved by mouting popular protest.
- Stimulated enthusiasm for reform in some.
Why did this change as the French Revolution progressed?
- The bloodshed from 1793 onwards.
- Massacres of revolution’s enemies allowed those opposed to reform to portray change as dangerous.
- Britain at war v France in 1793 so radical activity = unpatriotic.
Who was Edmund Burke?
- MP regarded as a defender of constitutional settlement of 1688.
- More conservative than new Whigs.
- Strong believer in hereditary monarchy.
What were Burke’s central ideas?
Published ‘Reflections on the Revolution in France’ in 1790.
- Revolutionary change always accompanied by violence.
- Govt derives authority from custom.
- Liberty needs to be restrained.
- Britain’s govt is stable and wise.
Who was Thomas Paine?
- Famous early radical.
- Urged the American colonies to seek independence.
- Supported French citizens in their struggle to oppose monarchic rule.
How did Paine respond to Burke’s defence of the constitution?
- Published the Rights of Man’.
- Became the principal text inspiring political radicals in Britain from the 1790s onwards.
- Both parts inspired radical reformers well into the 1800s.
Explain the key ideas of the radical Thomas Paine.
- Strong belief in equality and liberty.
- Society should be based on individual freedom.
- Land should be shared.
What were the key ideas of the Rights of Man?
- Tradition is not always a good thing.
- Govt should protect all citizens equally.
- Rights should be introduced to improve the lives of ordinary citizens.
What was the impact of the Rights of Man?
- No longer was political debate limited to the propertied classes.
- Paine had suceeded in questioning the legitimacy of GB’s political institutions.
What was the London Corresponding Society?
- An organisation set up to campaign for political reform.
- Idea of the LCS came from Paine.
- Aim was to write to / link with similar provincial societies.
What changes did the LCS call for?
The LCS believed:
- the people of GG were not adequately represented in Parliament.
- Pointed towards the oppressive taxes and unjust laws.
- LCS were actually quite moderate.
- They emphasised their opposition to violence and anarchy.
How sucessful were the LCS and others in calling for reform?
- Total membership peaked at over 3000 in 1795.
- Societies became a feature of many unrepresented towns such as Manchester and Leeds.
- The societies held weekly meetings and printed pamphlets.
How did the govt respond?
- The propertied classes formed loyalist associations.
- They used anti-radical propaganda to counter the threat of the LCS.
Why did the govt’s fears increase?
- Growth in support for radical societies.
- Percieved growth in unrest.
- Increased violence in France.
Which laws were passed to counter the threat posed by the LCS?
Royal proclamation against Seditious Writings and Publications. {1792}
- Authorised govt use of spies.
Suspension of Habeas Corpus {1794-95}
- Enabled the authorities to round up suspects and detain them without trial.
Treason trials {1794}
- 41 radicals were arrested and charged with high treason but all three were acquitted.
The Two Acts {1795}
- Aim = to intimidate.
The Combination Act
- Prohibited trade unions.
What was the effect of this legislation?
- By the end of 1795, radicalism was silenced.
- Other factor was return of war with French.
What were the chief complaints to have emerged by 1815?
- Unemployment arising from the Napoleonic Wars in 1815.
- New machines in factories replacing skilled workers.
- Fluctuating food prices.
- Taxes introduced to pay for costs of war.
- The Corn Lws kept of price of wheat high.
What was Luddism?
- They feared the loss of livelihoods due to new machines and increasing use of lower paid women and children to operate the machines.
How did the authorities respond?
Thousands of troops stationed in North and in Midlands to counter the Luddites.
What problems did GB face after defeat of Napoleon in 1815?
- War started 1793 - national debt vastly increased.
- Unemployment was increasing as 300,000 troops returned home.
