RADICAL REFORMERS - Part D; Impact of Radical Reformers themselves Flashcards
THOMAS PAINE
Who was he?
One of the most radical reformers of the 18th century.
THOMAS PAINE
What did he believe?
He welcomed the French Revolution of 1789 because he wanted a democratic system of government.
Opposed Burke’s ideas in Reflections on the Revolution in France.
THOMAS PAINE
Rights of Man - what is it?
This was Paine’s response in 1791, to Burke’s Reflections on the Revolution in France.
He advocated for American Independence, and the French Revolution.
It was written in an accessible style to most people.
THOMAS PAINE
What did he argue in part one of Rights of Man
Civil and political rights were NOT created by government, and rather rights given by governments could be easily removed.
He didn’t believe in monarchy.
He argued for wholesale reform of the British system of the government with the establishment of a republic whereby all adult men would have the vote.
The govt would be carried out in the interests of all, not the elite.
THOMAS PAINE
What did he argue in part two of Rights of Man?
Practical application of his theories.
He advocated for the creation of a national democratic assembly, abolition of the aristocracy, establishment of the national system of education, and a progressive tax on all land.
THOMAS PAINE
What did the government do?
The govt didn’t take any action against Paine or his publications, though it did reach large audiences e.g., 200,000 copies sold in 3 years.
1792 Royal Proclamation issued against ‘wicked and seditious writings which had been printed, published, and industriously dispersed’
THOMAS PAINE
Consequences of govt action
Paine left for France because of the 1792 Royal Proclamation because he knew it was directed towards him.
JOHN CARTWRIGHT
Background info
Early 18th century, British radicalism was weak because it had no leaders.
JOHN CARTWRIGHT
What was the Hampden Clubs?
70-year old Major John Cartwright founded in 1812, the Hampden Club in London, which was an exclusive affair.
It had a high annual subscription and so it was limited to a small number of M.C and aristocratic men.
JOHN CARTWRIGHT
What happened in 1812?
Cartwright visited industrial districts in the north and the midlands, where he found widespread poverty and poor living conditions.
The only way out for him was to invoke parliamentary reform.
JOHN CARTWRIGHT
When did Cartwright encourage the creation of regional Hampden Clubs?
1816
JOHN CARTWRIGHT
How did the regional Hampden Clubs fill the void of the LCS?
Membership was open to all and you had to pay a penny weekly.
They sought public discussion and political debate - filled in the gap left by the LCS which was disbanded in 1794.
JOHN CARTWRIGHT
1817 - what did Cartwright do?
Growing popularity of the regional Hampden Clubs = Cartwright persuaded to invite local delegates to a meeting in London 1817 to discuss policy.
JOHN CARTWRIGHT
1817 Meeting - what did they agree upon?
Universal suffrage and annual parliaments
Approved a strategy for petitioning parliament.
JOHN CARTWRIGHT
Govt response
The Clubs followed the law - Cartwright believed ‘hold fast by the laws’
Magistrates in Manchester and surrounding areas used agent provocateurs who created exaggerated reports with which the club members were arrested, and charged with seditious meetings (1795 Act, and 1817 revision)
