2022- 1852-67 v 1820-37

Question 1

What are the 3 sections for this plan?

Answer 1

1. Violent Protest
2. Radical Societies
3. Government responses/attitudes

Question 2

Violent Protest

What were the Bristol riots in 1831 and why did they occur?

Answer 2

The Bristol riots in 1831 were a result of the Lords rejecting the Reform Bill. Despite a 17,000-signature petition supporting the bill, Bristol’s anti-reform judge Charles Wetherell wrongly declared the city was against it.

Question 3

Violent Protest

How long did the Bristol Riots last, and how much damage did they cause?

Answer 3

The riots lasted for 3 days, causing over £60,000 in damage and resulting in 250 casualties.

Question 4

Violent Protest

What were the Swing riots from 1830-32?

Answer 4

The Swing riots were located in rural south and spread across 20 counties.

Question 5

Violent Protest

How much damage did the Swing Riots cause?

Answer 5

These riots resulted in £100,000 in arson damage and £600 in riot damage. As a result, 252 people were sentenced to death and 505 were transported.

Question 6

Violent Protest

What were the Plug Riots in 1842 and what was their purpose?

Answer 6

The Plug Riots were a result of the failure of the chartists. After their second petition was rejected, 500,000 workers went on strike and pulled plugs from factory boilers.

The riots affected 15 English and Welsh counties, as well as 8 Scottish counties. As a result, 1000 chartists were arrested, creating divisions within the leadership.

Question 7

Violent Protest

What happened during the Hyde Park riots in 1866 and what was the outcome?

Answer 7

The Hyde Park riots occurred on 23rd July 1866 and were declared illegal by Home Secretary Walpole. Approximately 200,000 people gathered, leading to the intervention of police and military.

However, the riots ended peacefully, and the leader, John Bedford Reno, became a household name.

Question 8

Violent Protest

How did the level of violence differ between the efforts for parliamentary reform in 1820-32 and 1852-67?

Answer 8

There was much less violence used leading up to the 1867 reform act compared to the earlier period. Protestors were able to gain more widespread public support during this time.

Question 9

Government Responses/attitudes

What was Edmund Burke’s view on parliamentary reform during the years 1820-32?

Answer 9

Edmund Burke, in his work ‘Reflections on the Revolutions in France’ (1790), defended the status quo and argued that moderate reform would lead to violence.

Question 10

Government Responses/attitudes

How did Lord Liverpool respond to attempts at parliamentary reform during the years 1820-32?

Answer 10

Lord Liverpool resisted all attempts at reform during this period.

Question 11

Government Responses/attitudes

What was Robert Peel’s perspective on parliamentary reform during the years 1820-32?

Answer 11

Answer: Robert Peel stated, “I was unwilling to open a door which I saw no prospect of being able to close,” indicating his reluctance towards reform.

Question 12

Government Responses/attitudes

What measures did the government take in response to reform movements during the years 1820-32?

Answer 12

In 1793, William Pitt initiated a ‘Reign of Terror,’ establishing an Alien Section and the Secret Service. Rev. Thomas Palmer was charged with encouraging others to read ‘The Rights of Man’ and sentenced to 7 years of transportation.

The government also implemented legislation such as the suspension of Habeas Corpus in 1784 and the ‘Treasonable and Seditious Practices Act’ and ‘Seditious Meetings Act’ in 1795.

Question 13

Government Responses/attitudes

What changes occurred in government attitudes towards reform during the years 1852-67?

Answer 13

In 1865, Lord Palmerstone passed away, leading to Gladstone and Russell coming to power. There was less focus on foreign policy during this time. Additionally, Disraeli passed the 1867 reform bill as part of a Tory overhaul, aiming to win the loyalty of voters.

Question 14

Government Responses/attitudes

Why were both the 1832 and 1867 reform bills passed during times of Tory crisis?

Answer 14

The 1832 reform bill may have been passed to avoid revolution, while the 1867 reform bill was driven by an actual desire to increase the electorate.

Question 15

Radical Societies

Who were the key figures in the parliamentary reform efforts during the years 1820-32?

Answer 15

Rev Christopher Wyvill and Major John Cartwright

Question 16

Radical Societies

What were the main radical societies during the years 1820-32?

Answer 16

• Yorkshire Association and Society for Constitutional Information
• London Corresponding Society (LCS)

Question 17

Radical Societies

What kind of support did the radical societies in the years 1820-32 have?

Answer 17

The Yorkshire Association and Society for Constitutional Information lacked widespread support and had little impact.

The London Corresponding Society had mostly artisans, tradesmen, booksellers, printers, and authors as members, with a demonstration in 1795 attracting over 100,000 people.

Question 18

Radical Societies

What were the political aims of the National Reform Union in the years 1852-67?

Answer 18

To bring together the two classes and extend the franchise to all male ratepayers, achieve equal distribution of seats, and introduce a secret ballot.

Question 19

Radical Societies

Which employer was influenced by the National Reform Union?

Answer 19

Samuel Morley, a wool manufacturer from Nottingham

Question 20

Radical Societies

What were the characteristics of the Reform League in the years 1852-67?

Answer 20

• The Reform League was more radical, attracting trade unionists, socialists, and former chartist sympathisers.
• Their demonstrations were assertive but respectable.
• They made a number of protests during the ‘Winter of Discontent’ in 1866-67.
• Gladstone and John Bright were its spokespeople, both of whom were MPs.