RADICAL REFORMERS c1790-1819 DEPTH 1
How signi cant was extra-parliamentary protest 1790-1819?
The London Corresponding Society 1792-93
LCS was founded by Thomas Hardy
Promoted universal su rage and annual parliaments
Published pamphlets promoting their views
Charged low subscription — not to exclude any class
The Spa Field’s meeting 1816
Hunt was invited to speak at a meeting at Spa Fields
Hunt championed the use of moral force, however did insinuate physical force should be
resorted to if necessary to achieve aims
10,000 supporters were in attendance
Hunt was not met by the Prince Regent
A second meeting was arranged — Spenceans stirred up the crowd
Rioters attempted to seize the Tower of London
The Pentridge Rising 1817
Revolutionary activists held meetings where they discussed an insurrection
Oliver, an agent provocateur, in ltrated the meetings
Planned an uprising on 9th June to seize Nottingham
They were intercepted before arriving — 80 were arrested
14 men were transported, 2 were hanged and beheaded publicly
Peterloo 1819
Hunt was invited to address the crowds at St Peter’s Field
There were around 60-80,000 in the crowd
They called for annual parliaments and universal su rage
There was a warrant issued for Hunt’s arrest
Yeomanry rode through the crowd to arrest Hunt
11 died and 500 were injured
The extent of the success of parliamentary protest by 1819
Government response to the radicals
In the post war years, the government relied on local magistrates to maintain order in towns
and cities who used their limited forces, such as the volunteer yeomanry
Government used a large network of spies, who in ltrated radical organisations and reported
back to the Home O ce, e.g. agent provocateur Oliver in the Pentridge Rising 1817
1793-1815 = Britain was at war with France, so it was important to promote unity and
suppress dissent — radicalism was overshadowed by patriotic and national movements
during this time
➡ None of the speci c aims were achieved by the radicals, however they made progress in
terms of organisation of the movement which would prove essential, especially during the
1830s and 1840s
Extent of radical success
1790s: British radicalism was responsible for creating a national debate through pamphlets,
books and the press
fi fi ffi ff fi fiff
How signi cant was extra-parliamentary protest 1790-1819?
The London Corresponding Society 1792-93
LCS was founded by Thomas Hardy
Promoted universal su rage and annual parliaments
Published pamphlets promoting their views
Charged low subscription — not to exclude any class
The Spa Field’s meeting 1816
Hunt was invited to speak at a meeting at Spa Fields
Hunt championed the use of moral force, however did insinuate physical force should be
resorted to if necessary to achieve aims
10,000 supporters were in attendance
Hunt was not met by the Prince Regent
A second meeting was arranged — Spenceans stirred up the crowd
Rioters attempted to seize the Tower of London
The Pentridge Rising 1817
Revolutionary activists held meetings where they discussed an insurrection
Oliver, an agent provocateur, in ltrated the meetings
Planned an uprising on 9th June to seize Nottingham
They were intercepted before arriving — 80 were arrested
14 men were transported, 2 were hanged and beheaded publicly
Peterloo 1819
Hunt was invited to address the crowds at St Peter’s Field
There were around 60-80,000 in the crowd
They called for annual parliaments and universal su rage
There was a warrant issued for Hunt’s arrest
Yeomanry rode through the crowd to arrest Hunt
11 died and 500 were injured
The extent of the success of parliamentary protest by 1819
Government response to the radicals
In the post war years, the government relied on local magistrates to maintain order in towns
and cities who used their limited forces, such as the volunteer yeomanry
Government used a large network of spies, who in ltrated radical organisations and reported
back to the Home O ce, e.g. agent provocateur Oliver in the Pentridge Rising 1817
1793-1815 = Britain was at war with France, so it was important to promote unity and
suppress dissent — radicalism was overshadowed by patriotic and national movements
during this time
➡ None of the speci c aims were achieved by the radicals, however they made progress in
terms of organisation of the movement which would prove essential, especially during the
1830s and 1840s
Extent of radical success
1790s: British radicalism was responsible for creating a national debate through pamphlets,
books and the press
fi fi ffi ff fi fiff
