Peterloo Massacre Flashcards
What did working class people do about the problems with the political system?
The held large meetings to protest against it.
What event became known as the ‘Peterloo Massacre’?
A meeting which happened in Manchester at St Peter’s Fields in August 1819.
How many people arrived at St Peter’s Fields from all around Manchester?
50,000
Who was due to make a speach and what was the speech about?
Henry Hunt (a radical speaker), it was calling for the reform of Parliament.
Who was sent to the meeting and why?
Manchester, at this time had no police force, so the army was sent to prevent any disturbances.
What happened when Hunt began to speak?
The army attempted to arrest him and attacked anybody who got in their way.
How many people were killed and how many people were injured?
11 peope were killed.
400 people were injured.
Who did the government comgratulate after?
The army and those involved in keeping order in Manchester.
What happened to Henry Hunt after?
He was sentenced to over two years in prison.
What did the government ban afterwards?
Meeting of more than 50 people at any one time.
What did the government do about newspapers afterwards?
Tax on newspapers was increased so that working-class people could not afford to read them, couldn’t read about the things that they were doing. And they would be less likely to publish negative things about them.
