Section 2: Lord Liverpool Flashcards
What were the considerable challenges that Lord Liverpool faced?
Political instability 1801-12, economic + social issues (pop. growth/industrialisation), 20 years of war (and peace in 1815), re-emergence of radicals, inappropriate gov. policies of Liverpool himself
What issues did the coming of peace cause?
Peace took up to £40 million out of circulation, 300,000 demobilised soldiers
unemployment 500,000 in 1816
What was the issue of the industrial recession?
Exports worth £51 million in 1815 had fallen to £35 million in 1818 (less wartime industry, less uniform/weapons being sold)
What were the Corn Laws?
1815- Restrictions and tariffs on imported grain. Designed to keep grain prices high to favour domestic producers Viewed as class legislation (anti-working class)
What key radicalists were emerging?
William Cobbett’s radical publications- weekly political register and ‘Two penny trash’
Henry Hunt- radical public speaker
What were the Game Laws?
1816- Poaching made punishable by up to 7 years transportation- Many starving working class reliant on poaching Viewed as class legislation
When did Liverpool become Prime Minister?
May 1812 following Spencer assassination
Why were the reductions in income tax seen as class legislation?
Liverpool got rid of income tax- based on income, instead raised indirect taxes on food/items- so poor couldn’t afford items as they were proportionally being taxed more
When were the Luddite riots, and where?
1812-17, in Manchester, Leeds and Bradford
What were the Luddite riots?
Highly skilled workers made redundant by mechanisation, rioted at mills and destroyed frames in protest
What was the outcome of the Luddite riots?
Frame Breaking act introduced: death penalty for frame breaking- introduced by Spencer Perciville and continued by Liverpool
Were the Luddite riots revolutionary?
They were sporadic, confined to particular areas and not widespread, and the workers only wanted to return to their jobs not overthrow the gov.
When were the Spa Field Riots?
1816
What were the Spa Field riots?
Guest speaker Henry Hunt attracted large audience
Spenceans, led by Thomas Spence (wanted to overthrow gov) stormed a gun shop and stoned Prince Regent on the way to the Theatre( -they were drunken and uncontrolled)
What was the outcome of the Spa field riots?
Seditious meetings act
Was the Spa field riot a revolution in the making?
Showed motives and demands of the people but not serious as there was no organisation or real leadership
When was the March of the Blanketeers?
1817
What was the March of the Blanketeers?
March of protest to London- didn’t get far before being broken up by troops at Stockport 7 miles away
Led by John Johnson
Was the March of the Blanketeers a revolution in the making?
Not really, not well organised, failed to reach London
When was the Pentrich Uprising?
1817
What was the Pentrich uprising?
Led purely by working class Plan to march over the moors and take over Nottingham and then take over government
What was the outcome of the Pentrich uprising?
Got stopped at Nottingham
Agent Provocateur (Oliver) incited them
(All based on unreliable information)
Was the Pentrich uprising a revolution in the making?
Poorly planned and poorly executed BUT was significant in that it was a PURELY working class uprising
When was the St Peter’s field ‘Peterloo’ massacre?
1819
What happened at the Peterloo massacre?
Henry Hunt to speak August 16, 50,000 to 60,000 turned up to listen, local magistrates sent in soldiers (they got nervous at the radical crowd) Sent in over 1000 troops. 15 killed 400 wounded. Hunt arrested on no charge
What was the outcome of the Peterloo massacre?
Liverpool justified the actions of the magistrates and soldiers who took part in the massacre
Was the Peterloo massacre a revolution in the making?
No. It was a peaceful gathering which the gov overreacted to enormously
When was the Cato St conspiracy?
1820