Radicalism Re-Emerges: Political Clubs & Public Meetings (The Platform) Flashcards
Who was William Cobbett?
Influential radical, who became MP later (1832 for Oldham) - travelled around counties to learn about working conditions. Cobbett was a strong critic of the government - he felt they abused their privileged position and could not justify the inequality in GB
Describe Cobbett’s early career?
Cobbett published the Weekly Political Register in 1802. Initially newspaper/pamphlet supported the Tory government, but Cobbett embraced reformist views after imprisonment for a campaign against flogging in the army. The WPS sold for 2d, ready by thousands
How did Liverpool’s government view growth of radical press?
The radical press grew despite efforts of government to prosecute people who wrote and distributed newspapers and pamphlets. Through this medium the feeling was fostered that a national movement existed
How did Cobbett’s influence grow?
The language used was adopted by wider radical movement. A particular feature of Cobbett’s writing was his use of labels to attack those within the government and governing classes who he felt were responsible for suffering of the people. His decision to publish leading articles from the Political Register in pamphlet form, thus escaping the newspaper stamp duty. Cobbett’s influence grew further in winter of 1816-17. It was a harsh winter, following a poor harvest, and bread prices rose higher than ever before. He gave a simple solution to those suffering: parliamentary reform
Provide examples of Cobbett’s ‘labels’ ?
‘Placemen’ - those who received incomes for the ‘places’ they held in government
‘Parasites’ and ‘Tax eaters’ - other words used to describe all of the above
He frequently targeted the ‘unproductive’ and ‘idle’ upper-classes, in contrast with the ‘industrious classes’ who strived and starved so that the rich could live in luxury
What were political/radical clubs?
Many of Cobbett’s readers attended meetings in pubs, chapels and cottages: the radical club, where these people gathered to read articles and pamphlets, and to discuss ideas; this was the second form of agitation in these years. The best known of these was Hampden club, founded in 1812 by John Cartwright
Describe the influence of John Cartwright in the early 1800s?
Radical agitation in the early 1800s began in the press. The ‘father’ of newspaper agitation was Major John Cartwright. Cartwright remained supporter of parliamentary reform and continued to establish links between reformers. He used newspapers to convert readers; the most well-known was William Cobbett
Who joined the Hampden Clubs?
Most popular in industrial heartlands of Lancs, Yorks, the Midlands & central Scotland; membership was limited by fears of punishment for formal association with a ‘revolutionary’ society. Others within the middle-class were reluctant to join because they feared that such organisations could encourage a revolution
What were their aims?
- To win over ‘respectable’ support for reform
- Achieve ‘manhood suffrage’
- Abolition of the Corn Laws
Describe their activities?
- Producing pamphlets financed by their weekly subscriptions
- In 1816/17 a campaign to collect signatures for a petition to parliament was organised. Signatures collected at branch meetings and representatives were selected to attend a central meeting (convention) in London 1817
- The clubs had to be careful of anti-sedition legislation. Meetings were public and presented as a gathering of deputies intending to discuss constitutional reform
- Nevertheless, they faced significant challenges from government, including infiltration by spies, and targeting of their leaders by local constables
- In 1817, several figures in Lancashire’s Hampden clubs (Manchester) were arrested and imprisoned for several months before being released without charge
What was the ‘platform’?
The third form of political agitation was the platform (or public meeting) - built around the right to petition parliament and providing an opportunity to demonstrate popular support for reform and its highly organised nature. Closely associated with Henry ‘Orator’ Hunt
Who was Henry Hunt?
Born into prosperity in 1773 in 1810 he shared a prison cell with Cobbett and upon his release campaigned for manhood suffrage. By 1815 he became the most popular radical leader. In 1816 he spoke at Spa Fields, London, and in 1819, was the main speaker at St Peter’s Field (Peterloo); opposed 1832 reform act because no vote to working men
Explain Hunt’s core beliefs?
Hunt’s fiery speeches made him a hero to the working classes. He had no intention of winning the support of ‘gentleman reformers’ and instead looked to huge outdoor meetings to rouse the masses. He did not want any riots, only by being well organised, orderly and peaceful could the masses demonstrate their newfound power and discipline. Method known as the ‘mass platform’ - massive demos, collect thousands of signatures for petitions to Parliament = irresistible pressure on parliament. The largest meetings were held in cities like Manchester, Birmingham and London
