To what extent does the strength of government resolve explain the decline in demand for reform in the years 1785-1830??

Question 1

To what extent does the strength of government resolve explain the decline in demand for reform in the years 1785-1830??

Answer 1

To what extent does the strength of government resolve explain the decline in demand for reform in the years 1785-1830??

Question 2

Strength of government resolve

Answer 2

Facts-

• Pitts reign of terror (attack on British radicals). Banned trade unions under combination act 1799, December 1795 “two acts” banned meetings of over 50 who were discussing P.Reform. licenses taken away from pubs that allowed radical meetings.
• December 1819- The six acts (most authoritarian legislation passed in British peacetime), including seditious meetings act (restricted meetings of more than 50) and Blasphemous and seditious libels act increasing penalty for writing seditious material)

Explanation- the pre reform system benefited the current government, so they repressed demand through legislation and occasional, yet swift and effective, riot control.

Question 3

French Revolution and war with France

Answer 3

Facts- the revolution created a strong defence of the pre reform system, showing the possibilities if they were to allow change.

• Ruling elite were quick to point out after French Revolution that theyd descended into anarchy, whilst Britain remained successful and prosperous.
• 1793- war with France was decisive, any reform sympathisers turned to patriots who were temporarily content with the pre reform system. Also more opportunity for rigorous control of uprisings (No sustained parliament movement until 1815)

Question 4

Failure of protest

Answer 4

Facts- Spa field riots London 1816: mass meetings petitioning the king or parliament, 1st meeting saw 20,000(peaceful). 2nd meeting had 20,000, but 200 marched to tower go London and looted gun shop(crowd dispersed). 1917, crowd attacked Prince regents coach at parliament opening.
-Cato street conspiracy 1820- group led by Arthur Thistlewood planned to kill Lord Liverpools cabinet. Tried to trigger uprisings across country, but spy George Edwards knew of the plan. Thistlewood + others arrested and killed 3 months later.

Explanation- Failure of protests disheartened reformers further as each one was foiled by the government, and things eventually looked hopeless when the government’s responses were so effective. These failures were however down to government resolve who were very harsh on protesters, which was allowed by previous legislation that was passed, so came as a result of govt resolve.

Question 5

judgement/ line of judgement

Answer 5

The strength of government resolve was a prominent cause of decline in reform demand, particularly as it allowed the failure of protests to happen more easily. The govt significant power and influence, made up of people benefiting from the pre reform system who were enthusiastic in protecting their own interests. However, the French Revolution was a more significant trigger cause because it paralleled the govt suspicions of anarchy etc in Britain, giving them good reasons to crack down on revolutionaries, and explains the lack of sustained reform efforts between 1793-1815