British History

• The aims and tactics of extra-parliamentary protest


  1780 - social status and wealth defined the power and potential of people in Britain. Individuals and groups began to campaign for improved social and political freedom, although not everyone had the same aims, they generally wanted to achieve reforms which would benefit those who did not belong to the ruling classes. Two common aims were to achieve universal suffrage and annual elections.
• The London Corresponding Society was founded


  1792-93
• In 1793 6000 members of the public signed a petition saying that they supported the society
• Other towns and cities formed similar organisations declined

  1797
• Modelled on political societies that had appeared in France during the revolution
• At its peak it had around 3000 members
• This method of discussion, pamphlets and newspaper articles was an important part of the protest tactics
• Other towns and cities formed similar organisations
• Groups that supported the London Corresponding Society

  • Artisans
  • Small tradesmen
• The organisation was campaigning by distributing political handbills to the public
• The London Corresponding Society


  An organisation founded by Thomas Hardy in 1792-93, campaigning for democratic reform, particularly annual elections and universal male suffrage
• Universal male suffrage


  • The right of all adult males to vote
• Parliamentary reform


  The improvement or extension of the British parliament
• About 10000 people attended
• Annual elections


  • Elections held every year
• This event convinced the government that revolution was a possibility
• Based upon the testimony of a spy, John Castle, within the group 4 of the leaders tried for treason
• A second meeting was organised at Spa Fields
• The Spa Fields Meetings


  1816
• They were later acquitted
• Hunt spoke about the evils of the high prices and need for parliamentary reform
• The Prince Regent and the government refused to accept the petition
• Secret ballots


  • Voting in secret
• The government sent troops to break up the meeting
• Henry Hunt was invited to speak at a large public meeting at Spa Fields, London
• This meeting deteriorated into a March to the Tower of London by some of the more radical members present
• The aim was to show support for a petition to the Prince Regent for parliamentary reform
• A spy among the group, William Oliver, informed the government
• People at the march

  • About 300 working class men
  • Mainly iron and quarry workers
• An armed march began in Pentridge, Derbyshire


  1817
• William Oliver informed the government


  The uprising was crushed by soldiers
• Punishments

  • 45 were tried for treason
  • 30 were sentenced to be transported
  • 3 of the leaders were hanged
• Aim of the march

  Demand a range of reforms including removing national debt
• The march headed towards Nottingham, later marching to London
• The uprising looked like a threat but, although armed, the protestors were neither sufficiently numerous or organised to pose a real threat
• The government made an example of them
• Armed


  Pikes and a few guns
• Peterloo Massacre


  1819
• After Pentridge the protest movement declined but it resurged in 1819
• A large crowd gathered at St Peters Fields, Manchester