Radical Reformers 1790-1819

How did the French revolution affect Britain?

it terrified the governing classes that the nobility could be overthrown and executed

Others were excited at the prospect of the same possibilities occurring in Britain

John Cartwright

set up the Hampden clubs in 1812

wanted to fix widespread poverty

called for universal suffrage and annual parliaments

petitioned for reform

What were Hampden clubs?

founded in 1812

annual membership cost 2 guineas

exclusive membership of middle-class and aristocratic men

debated political issues and national news at frequent meetings

William Cobbett

became radical in 1806

saw the system of government as repressive

1809 - began writing his newspaper the political register

1810 - 2 years in prison for seditious writings

What was the political register?

weekly

made by Cobbett

had a circulation of 200,000

made in 1809

called 2p trash

LCS

1792-3

founded by tom hardy.

Promoting universal suffrage and annual parliaments. Some members wanted to address political and social reform.

All ideas where kept in a pamphlet. Methods were peaceful.

Slogan – our membership is unlimited (inc. everyone) they followed gov guidelines; not seen as a threat 

Henry Hunt

orator

renowned public speaker

campaigned for universal suffrage and annual elections

generated public awareness

spoke at Peter’s Field and Peterloo

1820 imprisoned 2 and a half years

Tom Paine

published rights of man 1791

freedom of speech

liberty to have political ideas

influenced by french revolution

accessible to all wc

1792 fled to france

Spa Fields Meeting 1816

10,000 people, Hunt speaking wanted to present a petition to the Prince Reagent. But the prince was not present. 2nd meeting with the Speanceans who marched to the Tower of London and en route made a lot of civil disobedience and were unsuccessful

Pentridge Rising 1817

500 people – 80 arrested – 14 transported and 2 were publicly beheaded. Agent provocateur Oliver infiltrated the movement and he encouraged them to uprise and this was largely unsuccessful

Peterloo 1819

80000 people- men women and children. 11 people died 2 women and a child. 500 were injured. Meeting to discuss universal suffrage and annual parliamentary reform. It was led by Henry Hunt who was the orator but the yeomantry attempted to arrest him by using swords

Why were the Six Acts 1819 passed?

A response to Peterloo to prevent any more reformist action

How did the government use agent provocateurs?

went undercover to gather evidence on their illegal activity

Spa Fields and Pentridge both based around agent provocateurs evidence

3 examples from the six acts

seizure of arms act gave magistrates the right to seize arms

newspaper stamp and duties act raised the stamp duty to 4d

seditious libel act gave penalty of 17 years transportation for libel

Gagging acts 1817

treason act - made the 1795 act permanent following spa fields

suspension of habeus corpus

Suspension of habeus corpus 1794

prevented arrests without a trial

the government could round up potential threats without fears of protest

Treason Act 1795

assaults against the king were high treason inspired after George 3 had rubbish thrown at him

treason could be written or spoken

Seditious Meetings act 1795

banned meetings over 50

illegal to rent a hall for lecturing without a magistrates license

reasons for gov success

\-The gov used agent provocateurs who infiltrated organisations and informed the Home Office of their activities

\-Following the Napoleonic wars the gov began to use for nationalist propaganda in the press which made reform impossible to achieve

Successive  repression used repressive forces especially the yeomanry     

how did the government control the media?

1797 stamp tax a tax on printed media making it harder to afford

1798 newspaper regulation act was passed to force newspapers to register with the aim of limiting their ability to publish critical articles

Were the radical reformers successful? YES

got awareness

set the scene for future progression

Were the radical reformers successful? NO

uncoordinated leaders

gov repression