Liverpool’s Reaction
At the end of the Napoleonic war Britain faced serious economic and social problems, in
times of rapid industrial change politicians hadn’t had experience in dealing with such
situations.
The main reasons for discontent among people were low Wages, unemployment, poor living
and working conditions and the fact they had no right to vote. Protests occurred in frequent
intervals during the period 1812-1820 particularly when prices were high.
Radicles saw political and constitutional reform to bring about a solution to social and
economic problems. Whereas politicians saw their role as maintaining peace not to improve
the social conditions of the people.
The General radicle activity in this period:
No desire for revolution at this point but high demand for reform.
Hampden clubs were founded in1812 by Major John Cartwright and radicle MP Sir
Francis Burdett.
Discussed parliamentary reform and spread political ideas within the labouring
classes.
700 petitions for the reform of parliament presented to the government in 1817.
Union clubs formed by working men following example of Hampden clubs.
It is important to note that the mass wasn’t revolutionary however there were some groups
who hoped for some sort of revolution.
Rather than reforming Liverpool chose to introduce repressive policies.
Why?
Fear of revolution conscious he didn’t have a standing army.
Didn’t know how to implement reform.
Didn’t see economic problems as something to be interfered with (laisse faire
mindset)
Trade was cynical.
Difficult for government to distinguish between causes of reform of revolution.
A closer look at Liverpool’s repressive policy
How long did the suspension of habus corpus last and how widely was it used?
The suspension lasted between 1816 and 1818 so two years and a very small amount were
held under its terms and were released after its repeal.
What was the seditious meetings act 1817?
Forbid the unlawful assembly of more than 50 people and imposed the death penalty for
mutiny in the armed forces.
The six acts December 1819:
- Restrict the activity of the radicle press.
- An attack on any possible threat to the state.
- Restricting radicle activity by outlawing large scale protest meetings.
At the end of the Napoleonic war Britain faced serious economic and social problems, in
times of rapid industrial change politicians hadn’t had experience in dealing with such
situations.
The main reasons for discontent among people were low Wages, unemployment, poor living
and working conditions and the fact they had no right to vote. Protests occurred in frequent
intervals during the period 1812-1820 particularly when prices were high.
Radicles saw political and constitutional reform to bring about a solution to social and
economic problems. Whereas politicians saw their role as maintaining peace not to improve
the social conditions of the people.
The General radicle activity in this period:
No desire for revolution at this point but high demand for reform.
Hampden clubs were founded in1812 by Major John Cartwright and radicle MP Sir
Francis Burdett.
Discussed parliamentary reform and spread political ideas within the labouring
classes.
700 petitions for the reform of parliament presented to the government in 1817.
Union clubs formed by working men following example of Hampden clubs.
It is important to note that the mass wasn’t revolutionary however there were some groups
who hoped for some sort of revolution.
Rather than reforming Liverpool chose to introduce repressive policies.
Why?
Fear of revolution conscious he didn’t have a standing army.
Didn’t know how to implement reform.
Didn’t see economic problems as something to be interfered with (laisse faire
mindset)
Trade was cynical.
Difficult for government to distinguish between causes of reform of revolution.
A closer look at Liverpool’s repressive policy
How long did the suspension of habus corpus last and how widely was it used?
The suspension lasted between 1816 and 1818 so two years and a very small amount were
held under its terms and were released after its repeal.
What was the seditious meetings act 1817?
Forbid the unlawful assembly of more than 50 people and imposed the death penalty for
mutiny in the armed forces.
The six acts December 1819:
- Restrict the activity of the radicle press.
- An attack on any possible threat to the state.
- Restricting radicle activity by outlawing large scale protest meetings.
