Political Pressures On The Government

Question 1

According to Asa Briggs what were three reasons reform made no progress?

Answer 1

1) Radical societies were in the minority
2) Supporters of the established order convinced the public radical measures were against the country’s interests
3) Death of Louis XVI made reformers think again.

Question 2

According to Asa Briggs what was the main effect of the French Revolution on Britain?

Answer 2

Government to take a step back from reform towards repression. Pitt changed his views.

Question 3

What was the reaction of the Opposition Whigs led by Fox towards the French Rev?

Answer 3

Saw the revolution as a victory for democracy and freedom.

Question 4

What was the reaction of the Protestant Dissenters towards the French Rev?

Answer 4

Welcomed the revolution as they believed it would create more religious tolerance and end discrimination.

Question 5

What did Whig politician Edmund Burke warn?

Answer 5

The revolution would end in bitter bloodshed.

Question 6

What book did dissenter Tom Paine publish in 1791?

Answer 6

The Rights of Man

Question 7

When did the French Revolution begin?

Answer 7

1789

Question 8

Who set up the most influential London Corresponding Society in 1792?

Answer 8

Thomas Hardy

Question 9

What were the September Massacres? What year did they take place?

Answer 9

1792 - Revolutionary leaders sanctioned the deaths of thousands of suspected anti-revolutionary French prisoners

Question 10

How did Britain react to the September Massacres?

Answer 10

Most were disgusted except for radicals and convinced reformers

Question 11

What caused the French invasion of Austrian Netherlands?

Answer 11

The Edict of Fraternity

Question 12

What was The Edict of Fraternity?

Answer 12

Promised assistance to any nations rising against their sovereign.

Question 13

What was the government’s reaction to the execution of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette?

Answer 13

Pitt issued his first repressive reform as he became nervous (Order of Seditious Writings - power of magistrates was extended and radicals were arrested). War was declared.

Question 14

What was the reaction of Liberal thinkers towards the French Rev?

Answer 14

Began to turn against reform.

Question 15

Why and when was the order of seditious writings passed?

Answer 15

To curb radical influence. May 1792

Question 16

What is habeas corpus?

Answer 16

preserves the right of the individual not to be detained illegally.

Question 17

Why was habeas corpus suspended in 1794? What did it allow?

Answer 17

Guaranteed the safety of the King. Allowed government to arrest someone without trial.

Question 18

What was the Treasonable Practices Act of 1795?

Answer 18

Made it offence to speak against the King.

Question 19

What was the Seditious Meetings Act of 1795?

Answer 19

Prevented large gatherings to prevent riots.

Question 20

Why was the Aliens Act passed?

Answer 20

To prevent French agents coming to Britain.

Question 21

Who were agent provocateurs?

Answer 21

Government spies who went among workers to deliberately stir up trouble to flush out ring leaders.

Question 22

Why did the navy mutiny?

Answer 22

Conditions for able seamen were appalling, wages were late and discipline was harsh

Question 23

How did Pitt respond to Naval mutinies?

Answer 23

Hanged the ringleaders to regain control.

Question 24

In what way did Pitt set a precedent?

Answer 24

Future governments would be repressive.

Question 25

How was Pitt's reign of terror effective?

Answer 25

- Little opposition in parliament and rest of country - Measures introduced were temporary eg habeas corpus + 6 months - suppressed radicalism and ended threat

Question 26

How was Pitt's reign of terror ineffective?

Answer 26

- counter productive - drove more extreme elements in movement underground

Question 27

What is ascendency?

Answer 27

political, economic and social domination of Ireland by members of the established Church (CoE)

Question 28

Who made up the majority of the Irish population?

Answer 28

Catholic peasants

Question 29

Who was most of Irish land granted to?

Answer 29

English protestant settlers

Question 30

What was the Irish Parliament granted in 1782 following unrest?

Answer 30

Legislative independence

Question 31

Who was Irish administration controlled by?

Answer 31

England through the Lord Lieutenant

Question 32

Which classes were denied civil rights in Ireland?

Answer 32

Catholic and Irish Presbyterian manufacturing class

Question 33

When was the Society of United Irishmen formed?

Answer 33

October 1791

Question 34

What was the aim of the Society of United Irishmen?

Answer 34

Establish a democracy in Ireland through parliamentary reform and seek equal rights for all men of whatever religion.

Question 35

What did Wolfe Tone want?

Answer 35

- The Presbyterians and Catholics to work together for political rights - Complete separation from England.

Question 36

How did Pitt reduce enthusiasm for the United Irishmen?

Answer 36

Persuaded the Dublin Parliament to pass a Catholic Relief Act

Question 37

What did the Catholic Relief Act allow? When was it introduced?

Answer 37

Catholics could vote but not become MPs. 1793

Question 38

What did George III refuse in 1795 causing Pitt to resign?

Answer 38

Catholic Emancipation

Question 39

What was Wolfe Tone involved in during 1797-98?

Answer 39

The plotting of a French invasion of Ireland to overthrow the government.

Question 40

What did the failed French invasion make Pitt realise?

Answer 40

That Protestant dominated Ireland was no longer stable - led to a union.

Question 41

When was the Act of Union?

Answer 41

1800

Question 42

What were the two main issues Pitt had to consider before he could bring Ireland into the British political sysytem?

Answer 42

1) Persuade Dublin Parliament to accept fewer seats in Westminster Parliament (300 -> 100) 2) Bribe the Catholics with emancipation to prevent uprisings

Question 43

How were Irish MPs eventually persuade to reduce numbers?

Answer 43

With honours, appointments and pensions.

Question 44

Who was Richard Price?

Answer 44

A dissenter

Question 45

Who are dissenters?

Answer 45

People who don't follow the established church so are discriminated.

Question 46

What were the views of radical groups in London like?

Answer 46

Extreme and outspoken

Question 47

Why radical groups in London not percieved as a threat?

Answer 47

Members were from respectable classes

Question 48

What were radical groups in London believe about the French Rev?

Answer 48

That it would spur on the gov to extend civil and religious rights

Question 49

Why did popular radicalism rise?

Answer 49

Inspired by Tom Paine's popular radicalism.

Question 50

why did popular radicalism become a threat?

Answer 50

There was no consideration of lower orders to have political existence.

Question 51

What happened in Scotland in 1793?

Answer 51

A series of trials against a group of reformers who wrote seditious writings. Leader Thomas Muir sentenced to transportation to Australia.

Question 52

What did the French Rev mean for the Whig party?

Answer 52

Caused it to split in two: - Pro Rev - Fox - Anti Rev - Burke and Portland

Question 53

Why did some Whigs leave to join Pitt and the Tories? Who left first?

Answer 53

The news of terror reached and England and war was declared. Burke.

Question 54

Why did Pitt introduce repressive measures?

Answer 54

Under pressure from the anti-reform Whigs that were now part of his gov.

Question 55

What did the spilt in the Whig party men for the Tories?

Answer 55

They were now in charge.

Question 56

Give some examples of working class disturbances?

Answer 56

- Food riots - Luddism movement 1811

Question 57

What sort of areas were radical groups confined to?

Answer 57

Urban areas

Question 58

When Charles Grey put forward a motion for Parliamentary reform in 1973, how many votes was it defeated by?

Answer 58

282 to 41

Question 59

Why did Lancashire weavers start rioting in 1808?

Answer 59

Jobs were being replaced by power loom and the minimum wage bill was rejected.