Rev Flashcards
Edmund Burke
Open to reform but opposed violent uprisings. Believed in traditional rule by aristocracy and monarchy. Published ‘Reflections on the Revolution in France’ in 1790
Tom Paine
Published ‘The Rights of Man’ in 1791. Pro-French Rev and attacked arristocratic rule, calling for universal male suffrage.
Popularity of ‘The Rights of Man’
Had a circulation of 200,000 copies within a year due to it’s low cost, introducing many working class to political discussion.
London Corresponding Society
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.
Luddism
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.
The Corn Laws, 1815
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.
Arrest of radicals, 1794
41 radicals including Henry Hunt arrested and accused of high treason, later acquitted.
Suspension of Habeus Corpus, 1794 - 5
Suspects could be detained indefinitely without trial.
The radical press in the early 1800s
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.
Hampden Club
Formed in 1812, aimed to attract ‘respectable’ support for reform, however not many joined due to their fear of revolution.
Hampden Club campaigning, 1816 - 17
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.
Henry Hunt
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.
Spa Fields, 1816
Huge peaceful meeting, crowd respectful and rose to sing God, Save The King. There was a small section of the crowd who rioted, however.
1817 petitioning
Government received over 700 petitions but all were rejected.
Pentridge Rising, 1817
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.
The Peterloo Massacre, 1919
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.
Passing of the Six Acts, 1919
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.
Aftermath of Peterloo
Leaders arrested, including Hunt. Released after 2 years.
Radicalism by the early 1820s
Trade improved and leaders arrested so radicalism died down. Radicals realised they must maintain middle-class support to have any leverage over parliament.
Petitions were taken to government after the Spa Fields meeting but with what result?
They were ignored
Who formed the Hampden clubs?
John Cartwright
What were many of the cavalry members said to have been before the atrocity took place?
Drunk
Who was William Cobbett?
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
Government Response to radicals
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
