Radicalism Re-Emerges: The Events Of 1816-1819: Spa Fields, Pentrich, Blanketeers, Peterloo & The Six Acts Flashcards
How poor harvests of 1816 lead to increase in radical activity?
1816 severe weather resulted in poor harvests leading to desperate food shortages in winter of 1816/17. This exacerbated the economic hardship caused by the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the impact of Corn Laws on grain prices
What was the Spa Fields Protest, 1816?
In Dec 1816, huge meeting held at Spa Fields in London attended by 10,000. Hunt was due to address the crowd and then the intention to deliver a petition to Prince Regent. Their chief concerns were parliamentary reform, the nationalisation of land, and the abolition of all taxes apart from income tax. The atmosphere was like a carnival with thousands pouring into the city. There were banners and bands, market stalls and slogans. Before the meeting however some leaflets were circulated calling ‘Britons to Arms’
Why did Spa Fields prove controversial?
Before Hunt arrived a small section of crowd rioted, breaking into a gun shop, seizing weapons and marching towards the Tower of London. The riots lasted for several hours and there was looting, but by nightfall peace was restored. However, the vast majority of the people were peaceful, even singing national anthem. When Hunt arrived, they heard him call for lower taxes and the reform of Parliament
Was Hunt at least partially responsible for the violence?
Hunt spoke from the window of a public house, wearing his white top hat. He made no appeal to violence, but did urge people to sign a petition which contained the words ‘before physical force was applied’. The authorities argued this was deliberate incitement to violence. There is a significant evidence that the meeting was expected to be troublesome - Cobbett was invited but refused to attend
What were the effects of Spa Fields?
The petitions were not delivered until 1817, over 700 of them in total, some signed by thousands. Although a few radicals in Parliament and some members of Whigs were sympathetic, most MPs were afraid of this demonstration of popular feeling and certainly did not wish to agree to significant reforms such as manhood suffrage. The petitions were ignored or dismissed
How did the authorities react in 1817?
After the violence 300 arrests were made. One rioter executed and four organisers charged with high treason. Case dropped after it was revealed that key witness for prosecution, John Castle, was working for the authorities as a spy.
The government pushed three measure through parliament, known as the ‘Gag’ Acts:
- Suspension of Habeas Corpus for six months
- The Seditious Meeting Act - restricted public meeting of more than 50 people
- Incitement to Mutiny was made a hanging offence
The legislation was effective. Cobbett fled to US, Hampden Clubs broke up and public meetings ceased. Radicals were forced to operate underground, knowing that government used spies/informers to infiltrate their organisations
What was the Pentrich Uprising of June 1817?
200 unemployed workers began march from Pentrich in Derbyshire to Nottingham, where they planned to attach the castle. Armed with pikes, forks and a few guns, and under the leadership of Jeremiah Brandreth, the men believed that rising would start a national rebellion
Why did this uprising not succeed?
The group was infiltrated by ‘William Oliver’, one of the most famous of the government’s operatives appointed by Lord Sidmouth. ‘Oliver’ alerted the authorities to ensure troops were waiting to arrest the marchers in Nottingham
