Acts Of Repression

Question 1

Give some reasons that suggest that the repressive measure put in place were effective in stopping disturbances

Answer 1

• there was little activity from the main radical groups after 1800
• riots were usually down to desperation rather than radical influence.
  The threats from United Englishmen were of little consequence
• workers tended to look for improved conditions as opposed to revolution

Question 2

Give some reasons why the governments repressive measures wee not effective in curbing disturbances

Answer 2

• there was still sporadic working class discontent
• United Englishmen threatened revolution
• there were industrial disputes between 1800 and 1812 despite the combination laws, because of the hardships brought about by war and technological advancement
• weavers threatened by the introduction of the power loom and angry at the failure to secure a minimum wage bill, rioted and sabotaged the new machines

Question 3

What did fox have to say about Pitts repressive measures?

Answer 3

‘pitt was a greater menace to English liberties than the French revolutionaries’

Question 4

How did the French Revolution split the Whigs?

Answer 4

On the one side there were pro revolution Whigs led by fox and on the other the anti-revolution Whigs, who gradually moved their support to Pitt as reports of the terror filtered through and war was declared. Edmund Burke was the first of the leading Whigs to defect to Pitt, with the rest being led by the Duke of Portland, who was rewarded with the post of home secretary, whilst other positions were bestowed to a handful of his followers, giving Pitts government the flavour of a coalition war cabinet.

Question 5

What did the french revolution mean for the Whigs?

Answer 5

It spelt the end for the Whigs party that had dominated the 18th century, therefore clearing the way for a Tory ascendancy in the early 19th century