Why did the radicals fail to achieve their aims 1812-1822?

Question 1

What were the four main reasons?

Answer 1

1. Disorganised and disunited.
2. Legislation.
3. Harsh punishments / methods.
4. The Six Acts, 1819

Question 2

What was the issue with radical leadership?

Answer 2

No clear leader in the likes of William Cobbett or Henry Hunt.
Disorganised protests, e.g. Spa Fields, Blanketeers, Pentrich.

Question 3

How did the economy hinder radical protest?

Answer 3

Economy recovered in 1820 - less enthusiasm to protest.

Question 4

What was the issue with radical protests?

Answer 4

Often on a local scale, which limited their scope - it was limited to the industrial north, e.g. Peterloo, Pentrich.

Question 5

What were the two main pieces of legislation?

Answer 5

Suspension of Habeas Corpus, 1817
Six Acts (known as the Gagging Acts), 1819

Question 6

What methods of punishment / government action were used?

Answer 6

Execution. 
Arrests / prison. 
Transportation. 
Spies and agent provocateurs.
Local government actions - magistrates / yeomanry and used violence and force against protestors.

Question 7

What were the Six Acts?

Answer 7

Banned military-styled drills and training.
Gave magistrates increased powers to search for arms.
Banned public meetings of over 50 people unless they had magistrates permission.
Made trials quicker.
Imposed further restrictions on the press.
Increased the tax, or Stamp Duty, on newspapers so as to make radical writings, like those of Cobbett, too expensive for poorer people.