Rev

Question 1

Edmund Burke

Answer 1

Open to reform but opposed violent uprisings. Believed in traditional rule by aristocracy and monarchy. Published ‘Reflections on the Revolution in France’ in 1790

Question 2

Tom Paine

Answer 2

Published ‘The Rights of Man’ in 1791. Pro-French Rev and attacked arristocratic rule, calling for universal male suffrage.

Question 3

Popularity of ‘The Rights of Man’

Answer 3

Had a circulation of 200,000 copies within a year due to it’s low cost, introducing many working class to political discussion.

Question 4

London Corresponding Society

Answer 4

Formed in 1792 by Thomas Hardy. Held weekly meetings to discuss working class issues like poverty and high prices.

Called for universal male suffrage, secret ballot, payment for MPs. Primarily made up of high-skilled working class and craftsmen, and had contact with some French Revolutionary groups.

Question 5

Luddism

Answer 5

From 1810 - 11, craftsmen in blackened faces destroyed new machinery at night, fearing modern technology would make them unemployable. Machine breaking made a capital offence. Machine breaking died when favourable economic conditions returned.

Question 6

The Corn Laws, 1815

Answer 6

Made it illegal to import wheat. Landowners believed making Britain self-sufficient would stop the hunger which lead to the French Revolution. Critics claimed it was to protect landowners profits. The people became frustrated and demanded a fairer electoral system.

Question 7

Arrest of radicals, 1794

Answer 7

41 radicals including Henry Hunt arrested and accused of high treason, later acquitted.

Question 8

Suspension of Habeus Corpus, 1794 - 5

Answer 8

Suspects could be detained indefinitely without trial.

Question 9

The radical press in the early 1800s

Answer 9

John Cartwright and William Cobbett both travelled and saw the effects of poverty. Cobbett produced the cheap Political Register newspaper which attacked the ruling classes.

Question 10

Hampden Club

Answer 10

Formed in 1812, aimed to attract ‘respectable’ support for reform, however not many joined due to their fear of revolution.

Question 11

Hampden Club campaigning, 1816 - 17

Answer 11

A petitioning campaign calling for parliamentary reform, an end to corn laws, and fairer taxes gained mass support, particularly in industrial towns where people feared for their jobs.

Question 12

Henry Hunt

Answer 12

Orator known for his fiery speeches, came from a farming background and appealed to the working class rather than ‘gentleman reformers’. Wanted to use vocal mass support to pressure government.

Question 13

Spa Fields, 1816

Answer 13

Huge peaceful meeting, crowd respectful and rose to sing God, Save The King. There was a small section of the crowd who rioted, however.

Question 14

1817 petitioning

Answer 14

Government received over 700 petitions but all were rejected.

Question 15

Pentridge Rising, 1817

Answer 15

Government spy called ‘Oliver’ convinced a group of discontented workers to march on Nottingham. Were arrested and the leaders hanged. Government involvement lead to public outcry.

Question 16

The Peterloo Massacre, 1919

Answer 16

60,000 gathered in St. Peter’s Field, Manchested. Many arranged military style drills. Manchester magistrates order Henry Hunt arrested and send in cavalry. 11 killed and over 400 injured. Radical support increased as word of the event spread.

Question 17

Passing of the Six Acts, 1919

Answer 17

Government went on the offensive and rushed six acts through parliament:

Banned military-style drilling

Increased magistrates power to search for arms

Banned public meetings of over 50

Faster trials

Further restrictions on press

Increased ‘stamp duty’ tax on newspapers, making radical writings too expensive for the poor.

Question 18

Aftermath of Peterloo

Answer 18

Leaders arrested, including Hunt. Released after 2 years.

Question 19

Radicalism by the early 1820s

Answer 19

Trade improved and leaders arrested so radicalism died down. Radicals realised they must maintain middle-class support to have any leverage over parliament.

Question 20

Petitions were taken to government after the Spa Fields meeting but with what result?

Answer 20

They were ignored

Question 21

Who formed the Hampden clubs?

Answer 21

John Cartwright

Question 22

What were many of the cavalry members said to have been before the atrocity took place?

Answer 22

Drunk

Question 23

Who was William Cobbett?

Answer 23

Pamphleteer and journalist, Cobbet believed in the reforming of parliament and the abolishing of rotten boroughs. Against the Corn Laws. helped politicise working class with his ‘Political Register’ paper read in Hampden clubs. Radical movement led to Great Reform Act of 1832

Question 24

Government Response to radicals

Answer 24

limited forces used to control radicals.
spies used to manipulate and monitor chances of uprisings
Napoleonic Wars limited radicalism - seen as anti patriotic
acts limiting meetings and collaboration of reformers

Question 25

Success of Radicals

Answer 25

• limited success
• more politicization of the working class through Hampden Clubs and pamphlets
• growth in radical media
• reformers split between moral and physical force
• more organised but divided
• once post war economy was better, less radicalism

Question 26

Treason Act 1795

Answer 26

Illegal to harm or kill the king. Treason defined as any intention to intimidate government. any political reformers could be arrested

Question 27

When was Cobbett arrested, and why?

Answer 27

1810, seditious writing