Peterloo massacre flashcards

Where and when it took place?

On the 16th of August 1819 in St Peter’s field

The act that had recently expired to allow the meeting

The Seditious Gatherings Act that banned meetings of more than 50 people.

The actions taking leading up to the massacre

Multiple working class groups marched in formation to the field from the surrounding towns. They wore their Sunday best, brought their children and food for a picnic suggesting the event was intended to be peaceful.

Attendance of the event

Between 60-80 thousand were in attendance of the event.

Messages displayed on banners at the event

Banners called for universal manhood suffrage, secret ballots, echoed ‘Liberty and Fraternity’ from the French Revolutionaries, end to corn laws, and an annual parliament.

Events of the actual massacre

Henry Hunt was the main speaker and was preparing to go up when the magistrates panicked and ordered the volunteer cavalrymen, who likely had been drinking, to arrest him. As they approached the crowd became aggressive throwing brickbats and blocking their path. In a panic they swung their swords killing 11 including children and injuring 400. The military was then deployed to disperse the crowd and stop the killing.

Events after the massacre

The government praised the actions of the magistrate drawing huge criticism. The Sunday times picked up the story being very critical of the government’s actions going against its established middle class view. The government then brought in the six acts and Hunt was imprisoned for his involvement.