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 the intention to then 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 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 partly responsible for the violence at spa fields ?
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 a deliberate incitement to violence. There is 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 measures through Parliament, known as the ‘Gag’ Acts:
1. Suspension of Habeas Corpus for six months
2. The Seditious Meetings Act – restricted public meetings of more than 50 people
3. 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 attack castle. Armed with pikes, forks and a few guns, and under the leadership of Jeremiah Brandreth, the men believed rising would start a national rebellion.
Why did the 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.
Why did Pentrich prove so controversial?
At the trial it transpired that ‘Oliver’ had convinced the men to act, leading them to believe they were part of a nationwide rebellion. Their view was publicised by the Leeds Mercury ( middle-class newspaper), whose proprietor, Edward Baines, pursued investigation which exposed ‘Oliver’ to the public. ‘Oliver’ promptly disappeared and could not be called as a witness, although ‘provocation’ could not be used as a defence. All those on trial were convicted: Three leaders were hanged and 14 others were transported.
What effects of these harsh sentences?
Evidence of government’s involvement led to a public outcry, which was supported by Whig politicians who were keen to seize an opportunity to attack Tories.
Who were the Blanketeers?
Unemployed workers, mainly weavers from Lancashire, organised a demo in Manchester, March 1817. Plan march to London to present petition to Prince Regent demanding relief of distress caused by state of textile industry, the restoration of Habeas Corpus and reform of parliament. Connected to the riots at Spa Fields, the severe reaction of the authorities to these, the formal rejection by parliament of proposals for reform and to the extremely harsh economic conditions of the time. Several local figures conceived the idea for the march and took it to William Benbow, a non-conformist preacher from Manchester who was a leading figure in the local Hampden Club.
What happened when the crowds gathered? (blanketeers)
On 10th March 5000 marchers gathered in Manchester with a crowd of 25,000 to cheer them. The marchers were all carrying a blanket in which to sleep, and also to signify that they were textile workers. Plan to depart in groups of 10, each carrying a petition with 20 signatures to avoid accusations of illegal mass assembly. The gathering was broken up and 27 people were arrested. Several hundred men who had already set off were pursued by the cavalry and attacked. Some were wounded, several arrested and many dropped out. Only one marcher made it as far as London.
What were the effects of the actions taken by the government? (blanketeers march)
Many marchers displayed sabre wounds and a Stockport resident was shot dead. Manchester magistrates responded by revealing evidence of a conspiracy claiming they had uncovered a plot with as many as 50,000 people expected to take part in this plot. There were a further wave of arrests - prisoners taken to London and held without trial for months before release.
The absence of any sign of an uprising on the day for which it had been supposedly planned was used as evidence of the success of the authorities’ actions. The ‘Gag’ Acts that were introduced after Spa Fields were upheld, and the Seditious Meetings Act sailed through Parliament before the end of the month. In Manchester itself, no more public meetings were held, and the Hampden Clubs disappeared.
Describe economic conditions of 1818
In 1818, there was slight improvement in trade & fall in unemployment. Habeas Corpus was restored and the ban on large meetings was lifted.
Why meet at St Peter’s Field, Manchester, in 1819?
In 1819, four huge meetings were planned as a demonstration of radical, working class strength. The last one was scheduled to take place in August at St Peter’s Fields in Manchester, and Henry Hunt was to address the crowd.
