The Birmingham Riots Flashcards
What did magistrates promise to rioters?
Protection so long as they restricted their attacks to meeting houses and left the person’s and property alone
How much in restitution did the government demand had to be paid by the local community to those whose property has been damaged?
£23,000. However, the process took many years, and the vast majority received a sum less than the value of their property
How many people are estimated to have been part of the riots?
250-300
It seems some riots were actually organised by whom?
Birmingham officials
Who did priestly and other dissenters blame for the riots?
The government, believing Pitt and his supporters had instigated them
Why do some accuse the riots of being premeditated?
The rioters acted in a coordinated fashion and seemed to be led by officials. Some dissenters discovered their homes had been attacked several days before the rioters had arrived, leading them to believe there was a prepared list of victims.
What evidence points towards the theory that officials orchestrated the riots?
There was a disciplined nucleus of around 30 rioters that directed the mob and stayed sober throughout the riots. Unlike the others who joined in, they could not be bribed to stop their destruction
How long did the riots last for?
3-4 days
What did the graffiti around the town say on the morning of the celebratory dinner
‘destruction to the Presbyterians’ and ‘church and king forever’
What did priestlys friends do upon seeing the uproar around the dinner?
Dissuaded him from attending
How many sympathisers of the French Revolution actually attended the dinner?
Around 90
How many protestors greeted the arriving guests and what did they say to them?
60-70 and ‘no popery’
What demographics composed the rioters?
Industrial artisans and labourers
What changed about the mob by the time the guests left the dinner?
The amount of rioters had grown to hundreds and they began throwing stones at the departing guests
Briefly explain what instigated the Birmingham riots?
There was uproar that a group of people called the ‘friends of france’ were holding a dinner to celebrate the second anniversary of the storming of the Bastille
