Early Radicals Flashcards
(44 cards)
describe the political system in 18TH CENTURY Britain
There was a constitutional monarchy
CROWN: Monarch had significant power still but it had been weakened by the 1688 Glorious Revolution
HOUSE OF LORDS: more powerful than they are today and they are mostly all aristocrats who were born into their positions and are all unelected.
HOUSE OF COMMONS: they were all landed gentry with money as MPs were not paid so only these people could afford to be so.
VOTERS: In 1780 there were 214,000 voters out of a population of around 8,000,000. eligibility depended on where you lived and how much money you earned.
WHIGS: more liberal than conservatives but not very liberal relatively.
TORIES: had a majority for most of the century as all the voters wanted too keep their situation the same and tries didn’t like change.
RADICALS: supporters of the C18TH parliamentary reform.
what was the significance of the American Revolutionary war?
- it caused an increase in no confidence/ uncertainty in the abilities of the government because they were losing colonies.
- colonies no longer wanted to be linked to Britain.
- britain were losing the fight to keep their colonies which made them look weak.
- put Britain in big debt.
- the radicals increased their opposition to the government.
- it may inspire other colonies to break free.
name some SOURCES OF and THREATS TO Britons stability in 1780
STABILITY:
- lack of monarch power
- lack of public power
- empire
- success in previous warfare
- a forward thinking parliament
INSTABILITY:
- American revolutionary war
- lack of representation
- threat of french invasion
- public anger
- house of commons and house of lords don’t trust the monarch.
define RADICALISM in your own words
Political radicalism is ideas that are drastically different or would make a big difference to the current system.
Historically it was only used to refer to extremely left wing politicians because our country was and is very right wing.
summarise the french revolution
- the 3rd estate was removed from the general
- june 1789 they promised each other not to leave the tennis court until they make a new constitution.
- aug 1789 rights of man released stating all men are equal.
- june 1791 the royal family are captured
- january 1793 king is executed
- sept 1793 - july 1794 reign of terror ending with the execution of robes pierre who started the revolution practically
why was democracy seen as dangerous by so many members of the ruling class at this time?
because many of them would not have been elected at this time and if the public had the chance to vote they would likely not choose those who were born into their positions un qualified.
outline some elements of Burke’s ‘conservative’ ideology
- stability is important
- the constitution should be preserved
- the glorious revolution was a necessary exception
- democracy is not a good plan
- violence that comes from revolution is dangerous
when and what was the Glorious Revolution ?
1688, the splitting of the power the king held to parliament and the people.
was burke likely to know what ordinary citizens thought ?
no, he was a rich child who was raised in upper middle class aristocracy and never associated with ordinary citizens.
outline the key ideas of THOMAS PAINE’S ‘RIGHTS OF MAN’
- tradition is not always a good thing
- the government should protect all citizens equally
- the french revolution emerged from reason and rational thought not emotional violence
- advocated the introduction of a range of civil rights to improve the welfare of the uk.
what was considered revolutionary about Paine’s ideas?
His ideas in particular where not revolutionary but his ideas were published across the country and that was very different than what anybody had ever done before, it also meant he got a lot of widespread support which was revolutionary.
why was the rights of man so appealing and popular?
because it was cheap, accessible, it was specifically published to the working and middle class and it advocated peoples freedom who had never been free before.
why didn’t the working class stand up for themselves sooner and demanded reform?
- they may have thought that they were unable
- they were uneducated so they were unsure of how to form an opposition or showcase their beliefs.
- they could have been indoctrinated, things are so good why would you want to change them now this could make things worse for you.
summarise key beliefs or views of the LCS
COMPLAINTS;
- the wrong people are in parliament
- current parliament wastes peoples money
- the politicians have way too many privileges
- public is not being heard
- we are degenerating into oppression
SOLUTION:
- abolish the privileges
- create a new way of electing parliament
- allow the public voice to be heard
- fair and equal representation
- citizens have a duty to keep an eye on their government.
how did the LCS provoke fear of revolution?
they had an adequate following and they were demanding quite radical things or putting across radical views. they had also got links to the french as they visited them at one point which would have scared people the most definitely.
to what extent was the LCS revolutionary ?
people had come up with radical complaints or views that not many people agreed with before but by far thee most radical thing was the solutions they cam up with which nobody had dared to do before.
describe the growing unrest in 1790s Britain
despite clear popular support for loyalists, fears grew massively as the 1790s progressed.
MAIN REASONS:
- the apparent growth in support for radical societies and their increased organisation
- a perception of increased popular unrest, based in part of evidence form magistrates.
- the increased violence in France during the revolution..
name and date the laws passed by Pitt’s Government to counter the increasing radical threat.
- MAY 1972 The Royal proclamation against seditious writings and publications. ( auth. gov. to spy and infiltrate radical groups, Tom Paine was the main target.)
- MAY 1794 - JUNE 1795 The suspension of habeas corpus.
- NOVEMBER 1794 The Treason Trials. (41 radicals were arrested and charged with high treason.)
- NOVEMBER 1795 ‘The Two Acts’ (treasonable practices act and seditious meetings act.)
- JULY 1799 The Combination Act (prohibiting trade unions and collective bartering)
What happened to 1790s RADICALISM after the government put their laws in place ?
By the end of 1795 radicalism was largely silenced. the gov barely had to use their powers and only 200 people were convicted under the laws in the 1790s.
why were the policies so successful ?
because they intimidated and harassed the population into being well behaved. there where serious threats and consequences to the publics actions. The laws were enforced very thoroughly which will have also contributed.
Charles Fox MP denounced these actions as Pitt’s Reign of Terror. Explain what he meant by this.
He was referencing the french revolution and saying that pitt was being hypocritical and that he was no better than the people he hated. and he was saying that these laws were perhaps in some way revolutionary.
Who were the Luddites?
1810 - 1811 They were a number of workers who worked in industrial places and were having their jobs taken by machines. they attacked and broke machinery. the gov responded by putting 10,000 troops in the midlands and the north.
1812 there were a number of attempts to assassinate the mill owners.
why were the gov so concerned about the luddites ?
they used a great deal of violence which bought reference to the french revolution and scared them that it was going to happen again if the luddites grew stronger.
when and what were some of Britain’s ECONOMIC PROBLEMS and CONTROVERSIAL POLICIES ?
ECONOMIC PROBLEMS:
- 300,000 Troops returned from battle and there were no pensions or allowances for them.
- national debt had risen to £861 million
- the gov had to raise money through tax which already accounted for 80% of the governments income.
- during the war Britain had to rely on almost entirely home grown produce.
- farmers were demanding a ban on wheat import.
CONTROVERSIAL POLICIES:
- during the war the gov. had tried to cope with costs using income tax.
- introduced indirect taxes on goods like candles and tea / soap.
- The Corn Laws; they imposed tariffs on foreign wheats and effectively banned imports until the price of wheat reached 80 shillings quarter. ( people argued they benefited rich land owners and further impoverished the poor.)
