Radical Reformers Flashcards
How much power did the monarchy have in 1780?
- After the Glorious Revolution (1688), the power of the king diminished
- Sovereignty was passed to parliament under the Bill of Rights in 1689
How was Parliament composed in 1780?
- The House of Commons - only men, owned substantial land and entirely Church of England. Almost all were landed gentry or aristocracy.
- The House of Lords were more powerful in today’s politics and would pass their title to their eldest son. Prime Ministers would often be chosen from here
Describe the view of Tories towards the way Parliament was set out
- Defended the power or the monarchy and the Church of England
- protective of church’s privileges
- resistant to reform and change
Describe the view of Whigs towards the way Parliament was set out
- More likely to question the powers of monarchy
* Generally more likely to be sympathetic towards reform of Parliament
What was the electorate like in 1780?
- 214,000 voters out of a population of 8 million (1/8 of adult males)
- only people who owned property were able to vote so only landed gentry and aristocracy could vote
What were radicals?
Those who supported Parliamentary reform during the late 18th / early 19th Century
What where the principals of radicalism?
No all radicals believed in the same degrees of reform but some keys issues were
• Making Parliament more representative in terms of class and population distribution
• Extending the franchise to all men
• Catholic Emancipation
• Freedom of speech and the press
What other events were going on around 1780?
- The Glorious Revolution happened in 1688 and reduced the power of British Monarchy
- The French Revolution including the Terrors in which members of the aristocracy and monarchy were executed
- The American Revolution in which the British lost control of the 13 US colonies
- The Industrial Revolution
Who was Thomas Paine?
A British philosopher who lived the UK until he fled to the US in the later half of the 18th Century. He also helped to start ideas of democracy and republicanism in both America and France which helped spark their revolutions
What was Paine known for writing and the key ideologies he held?
Common Sense - a political pamphlet
The Rights of Man - a book
His beliefs
• belief in equality and liberty
• opposed slavery
• opposed organised religion (not atheist)
• Land should be shared or those without should receive payment form the government
Why did people view Paine’d idea as revolutionary?
• He propose tradition did not keep pace with a changing society
• He directly criticised the upper classes
• Proposed a system in which people
were the most important
Why were the aristocracy and landed gentry opposed to reform of the political system?
Reform to the system would have removed them from power and prevent them creating legislation in their best interest
Why did Parliament fear radicals?
Due to the French Revolution they feared that they would meet the same fate as those 16,000 executed during the French Reign of Terror
How did radicals in the 1790s operate?
There was an emergence of reform clubs - organisations with the aim of campaigning for change
Who influenced radicalism’s in the 1790s
• Major John Cartwright
Started a campaign for reform in the 1770s. Established the Society for the Promotion of Constitutional Information in 1784
• John Wilkes
An early radical MP and one of the early campaigners for reform
• John Horne Tooke
A supporter of Wilkes and a close associate of Cartwright
What was the London Corresponding Society (LCS)?
• An organisation that was set up to campaign for political reform
•
When was the LCS set up?
In 1792, a month after the first corresponding society was set up in Sheffield
What work did the LCS campaign for
It campaigned for
• Fair, equal and impartial representation through greater male suffrage
• abolishment of partial privileged or certain citizens (upper class) having so much power
• the government to be held to greater account
What notable work did the LCS do?
- membership peaked at 3000 in 1795 ( including John Horne Tooke and Olaudeh Equiano). Member contributed 1d a week
- Encouraged societies to develop in underrepresented towns (Manchester, Leeds, Norwich, Edinburgh, Dublin)
- held weekly meetings, printed pamphlets and corresponded with France, visited the National Assembly in France
- in 1793 6000 members of the public signed LCS’s resolutions
How did the government react to the LCS?
They wanted to protect the current system and started backing organisations that were loyal to the current system and wanted to neutralise the threat of reformist.
Name the three reasons for a growing fear of radicalism in the 1790s
- The apparent growth of radical societies and their level of organisation
- A perception of increased popular unrest
- Increased violence of the French Revolution (the terrors)
What actions did the Pitt Government take to counteract the threat of radicalism
- The Royal Proclamation Against Seditious Writings and Publication
- The Suspension of Habeas Corpus
- The Treason Trials
- The Two Acts
- The Combination Act
The Royal Proclamation Against Seditious Writings and Publications
• When was it passed?
• What did it do?
• Passed May 1792
• Authorised government to use of spies, to infiltrate radical groups and open private letter
It’s powered were expanded in December 1792 with a second Proclamation
The Suspension of Habeas Corpus
• When was it passed?
• What did it do?
• Passed May 1794
• Enabled authorities to round up suspects and detain them indefinitely without trial
H. C was enacted again in June 1795
The Treason Trials
• When was it happen?
• What happened?
November 1794
• 41 radicals (13 from LCS including Tooke, Thomas Hardy) and charged with high treason
• There was little evidence only that they were planning a convention. Held during the suspension of Habeas Corpus
• Tooke, Hardy and John Thelwall all had a trial but were acquitted. Everyone else released
The Treasonable Practices Act
• When was it passed?
• What did it do?
- Passed November 1795 as part of the Two Acts in response to food shortages creating unrest
- Made words, spoken or written, treasonable actions as well as actions. It aimed to intimidate and no one was arrested under it
Seditious Meeting Act
• When was it passed?
• What did it do?
- Passed in November 1795 as part of the Two Acts in response to food shortages causing unrest
- prohibited meeting of more than 50 people without a magistrate
The Combination Act
• When was it passed?
• What did it do?
- July 1799 in response to a series of strikes and agitation events by workers
- Prohibited trade unions and collective bargaining
Why did support for radicalism dwindle by the 1795?
The acts passed by Pitts governments face the authorities the means to frighten radicals and their supporters. The arrested radical leaders, silence propaganda and this frighten away those interested in getting involved.
Less than 200 people were arrested under the Acts passed by Pitt. The war with the French meant anyone talking badly of the government were views as traitors and enemies of the state.
What problems emerged in society in 1815?
- Unemployment rose due to booming industry drying up after the war and solider returning form fighting the Napoleonic Wars
- Factories laid of workers in favour of machines
- Food prices were very high at times and unaffordable for working class people
- Government raises taxes (including in food) to pay of debts due to the war with France
- The Corn Laws passes by the government made bread prices artificially high so people had to pay more for bread
What series of events happened that indicated the return of radicalism in Britain?
- In 1810 - 11 attacks in industrial areas such as Nottingham, Yorkshire and Lancaster attacked and destroyed machine. Letters were sent before the attacks to intimidate
- These attacks were carried out by luddites
- Assassination attempts were made on mill owners lives including a successful one in April 1812 on William Horsfal
Who were the luddites?
- Skilled craftsmen who were replaced by simple machines
* They feared that they would be made redundant and lower paid women and children hired to work the new machines
Although luddites weren’t politically motivated, why did they cause fear?
- They posed a threat to society through theirs violence
- Gave inspiration to revolt or a want for change
- Worries that radicals would attach themselves to the luddism movement
How did the government respond to the luddites?
- Machine breaking was made a capital offence
- Troops were stationed in the North
- Several executions took place including that of the assassins of Horsfall
What happened to Britain after the war
It was firmly established as the greatest of the Great Powers.
But also
• national debt had vastly increased
• an adjustment to peacetime economy was needed
• 300,000 soldiers returned and worsened unemployment going on at the time
What two pieces of controversial legislation were passed in 1815?
The National Budget and The Corn Laws
What did the 1815 National Budget do?
- With the debt at £861 million the government raised tax which at the time made up 80% of the governments incomes
- Indirect taxation of items such as sugar, tea, soap, candles, beer and tobacco was introduced which made it hard for working class people to get everyday items
What were The Corn Laws?
During the war Britain relied on it own produce to make bread
• After the war landowners, who dominated Parliament, demanded a ban on foreign wheat in the event of another war. They said it would prevent hunger and famine in a war situation which would prevent Revolution
• It lead to a banned import until the wheat was worth 80 shillings a quarter
Why were the Corn Laws controversial?
- They acted in the interest of landowners and not the working class.
- During a harsh winter in 1816/17, crops were bad, increasing prices and the working class unable to afford bread
What three methods were used with the reemergence of radicalism in 1815
Use of radical press
Political Clubs
Public meetings
Who was William Cobbett?
- A radical who later became and MP
- Travelled the country to learn about the conditions of work and living of the working class on horse back
- a strong critic of the government believing like many radicals felt the upper classes abused their power and the inequality in the nation was unjustifiable
- He helped the start of the radical press in 1815
What was the name of the paper that Cobbett started?
The Weekly Political Register
• Began in 1802 but only became radical in 1810 after Cobbett was imprisoned for protesting flogging in the army
• Sold for 2d
• Read by thousands
Name three other radical newspapers
The Republican
The Medusa
The Cap of Liberty
What evidence is there of Cobbett’s publication being influential?
The language he used in the publication (such as placemen, pensioners, fundholders, parasites, taxeaters) was used in placards years after Cobbett’s death
Which is the best known political club?
The Hampden Club founded in 1812
What was the member of the Hampden Club like?
- Most popular in Lancashire, Yorkshire, the Midlands and central Scotland
- Anyone could join for 1d per week
- Membership was limited by fear of punishment by authorities
- Predominantly working class due to fear from the middle class
What were the aims of the Hampden Club?
- To win respectable support for reform
- Achieve manhood suffrage
- Abolish The Corn Laws
What are the Hampden Club’s most notable activities?
- Creating pamphlets
- Created a petition for Parliament in 1816/17
- In 1817, several members of the Lancashire Hampden Club (including Samuel Bamford) were arrested and imprisoned for months the released without charge
What was the purpose of public meetings?
To demonstrate the extent of popular support for reform and that it was organised
Name a famous radical orator
Henry Hunt
What did Henry Hunt believe and practice?
- His speeches were fiery and this made him a hero for the working class
- Believed in peaceful protest to demonstrate that radicals did have discipline
- He worked the mass platform - massive demonstrations and collection thousands of signatures for petitions to be sent to Parliament
What are the similarities between Cobbett and Hunt?
- Saw the effectiveness of public meetings to spread support
- Wanted peaceful revolution and to stay away from that seen in France
- Wanted open revolution/meetings
What were the difference between Cobbett and Hunt?
- Hunt worked as an individual inspired by radicalism and Cobbett worked for a greater good of the community
- Cobbett used pamphlets and Hunt used speeches
- Cobbet warmed against political clubs whilst Hunt rallied up them
When did Spa Fields happen?
December 1816
Describe the events of Spa Fields
- A huge meeting at Spa Fields in London took place and Henry Hunt was due to address the crowds with the intention of delivering a petition to the Prince Regent. Thousands joined.
- The crowd was mainly loyal and sung ‘God Save the King’
- Hunt called for lower taxes and the reform of Parliament
What did some of the crowds do at Spa Fields?
A small section rioted, broke in to a gun shop and seized weapons and marched towards the Tower of London. One pedestrian was killed
What were the results of Spa Fields?
- Over 700 petitions were delivered to Parliament with some having thousands of signatures
- Some people in Parliament and some members of the Whig part were sympathetic
- The petitions were ignored or dismissed
What legislation did Parliament pass after Spa Fields and and what was the effect on the radical movement?
- The Gag Acts - the suspensions of Habeas Corpus for 6 months, Seditious Meetings Acts and Incitement to Mutiny made a hanging offence
- 300 arrested, 4 organised charged with high treason
- Cobbett fleas to the USA
- Hampden Club broke up
- Public meetings ceased
When were the Pentrich Uprisings?
June 1817
Describe the events of The Pentrich Uprising
- 200 unemployed workers began a march from Pentrich Derbyshire to Nottingham where they planned to attack a castle
- The leader was Jeremiah Brandreth who believed they would receive support form the other parts of the country
Why did the Pentrich Uprising fail?
- The group had been infiltrated by ‘William Oliver’ real name W.J. Richards
- He alerted the authorities ( Lord Sidmouth) and troops were waiting to arrest the marchers as they arrived in Nottingham
What were the consequences of Pentrich Uprising?
- The trial revealed ‘Oliver’ had been instrumental in getting the men to act
- He then disappeared during the trial
- All on trial were convicted
- 3 leaders were executed and 14 transported to deter other agitators
- Some people were at outcry at how the government set up radical events just to arrest people
When was the March of the Blanketeers
March 1817
Describe the events leading up to the March of the Blanketeers
- It was a plan to march from Manchester to London
- They were demanding the relief of distressed caused by the state of the textile industry, the restoration of Habeas Corpus and Parliamentary reform
- William Benbow announced the plans to march at a public meeting to 20,000 workers
What event happened on the 10th of March 1817
The March of the Blankeeters
Describe the organisation of the radicals at The March of the Blanketeers?
- A crowd of around 5000 marchers met in St Peters Field with a crowd of 25,000
- The plan was to depart in groups of 10 carrying petitions with 20 signatures to avoid accusations of mass assembly
What happened to the Blanketeers?
- The gathering was broken up
- 27 people arrested - this included William Benbow and Samuel Drummond
- Several hundred who set off were attacked by cavalry
- Only one marcher made it as far as London
When was Peterloo?
August 1819
Why had the authorities increasingly concerned leading up to Peterloo?
- Radicals were gathering to prepare for meetings
* Some took part in military type training
Describe the events of Peterloo
- Over 60,000 people attended
- Hunt began to speak and the yeomanry received the order to arrest him and other speakers
- The crowd tried to protect Hunt and the yeomanry used their swords to clear a path - 11 were killed (including a child and 2 women) and 400 injured
What happened with radicals after Peterloo?
- The supporters who died became martyrs
- Riots around the country broke out
- Hunt was imprisoned for 2 years
How the government respond to Peterloo?
- They congratulated the Manchester magistrates (despite many blaming them for the blunder)
- They passed the Six Acts
When was the Six Acts passed?
By December 1819
What did each act of the Six Acts do?
- Forbade unauthorised military training
- Gave magistrates emergency powers to search houses for weapons
- Prevented all but the smallest public meetings
- Prevented evasions of newspaper stamp duty
- Enables magistrates to seize and destroy seditious and blasphemous publications
- Prevent delays by the accused in blasphemy and treason trials
