Theme 1 Breadth

Question 1

When was the French revolution?

Answer 1

1789 (not 1782 as in the document)

Question 2

When was ‘Rights of Man’ published and who by?

Answer 2

1791, by Thomas Paine.

Question 3

What did the ‘Rights of Man’ contain?

Answer 3

It called for annual parliaments, universal suffrage, and parliamentary reform.

Question 4

When were the London Corresponding Society (LCS) active?

Answer 4

1790s.

Question 5

Why did the LCS form?

Answer 5

To pressure the government into reform.

Question 6

What were the methods of the LCS?

Answer 6

Petitions and pamphlets sent to the government.

Question 7

Who founded the LCS?

Answer 7

Thomas Hardy.

Question 8

What was different about the LCS to previous radical groups?

Answer 8

It was non-violent.

Question 9

What counter movements formed against the LCS?

Answer 9

The Association for Preserving Liberty and Property against Republicans and Levellers.

Question 10

How did the government respond to the LCS?

Answer 10

With the Seditious Meetings Act and Seditious Writings Act, also known as the ‘Gagging Acts’.

Question 11

When was Spa Fields?

Answer 11

1816

Question 12

Who was Sir Francis Burdett?

Answer 12

A radical MP who opposed the government and denounced the Napoleonic Wars.

Question 13

Who were the Spenceans?

Answer 13

Radical followers of Thomas Spence who believed in common ownership of land.

Question 14

Who was Henry Hunt?

Answer 14

A radical orator and reform leader who advocated for universal suffrage.

Question 15

What was the aim of the meeting at Spa Fields?

Answer 15

To petition the Prince Regent for parliamentary reform.

Question 16

What were the events of Spa Fields?

Answer 16

A peaceful meeting turned into a riot when a group tried to seize the Tower of London and the Bank of England.

Question 17

How big was the crowd at Spa Fields?

Answer 17

Around 10,000–20,000 people.

Question 18

What was the outcome of the Spa Fields riots?

Answer 18

The riot was suppressed, and several Spenceans were arrested.

Question 19

When was the Pentridge rising?

Answer 19

1817

Question 20

What were the events of the Pentridge rising?

Answer 20

A group of radicals attempted an armed insurrection, marching toward Nottingham.

Question 21

Who was ‘Oliver’?

Answer 21

A government spy who encouraged the radicals, helping to entrap them.

Question 22

Who was the leader of the Pentridge rising?

Answer 22

Jeremiah Brandreth.

Question 23

What was the outcome of the Pentridge rising?

Answer 23

The uprising was crushed, leaders were arrested and executed.

Question 24

When was Peterloo?

Answer 24

16 August 1819.

Question 25

What were the causes of Peterloo?

Answer 25

Economic hardship, demand for political reform, and lack of representation.

Question 26

How big were the crowds at Peterloo?

Answer 26

Around 60,000–80,000 people.

Question 27

Who were the yeomanry?

Answer 27

Local volunteer cavalry used by the government to control civil unrest.

Question 28

What were the events of Peterloo?

Answer 28

The cavalry charged the peaceful crowd during a reform meeting, killing and injuring many.

Question 29

What was the outcome of Peterloo?

Answer 29

At least 15 people killed, hundreds injured; led to national outrage and crackdown on reform.

Question 30

What were the main methods used by the government against radical reform?

Answer 30

Laws like the Gagging Acts, Six Acts, suspending Habeas Corpus, use of spies and force.

Question 31

Give examples of how radical protest was a success between 1790-1819

Answer 31

Raised awareness, drew public sympathy, and laid groundwork for future reforms.

Question 32

Give example of how radical protest was a failure between 1790-1819

Answer 32

Failed to achieve immediate reforms; events like Peterloo and Pentridge were brutally suppressed.

Question 33

What were the Hampden Clubs?

Answer 33

Clubs formed by John Cartwright to unite middle and working-class reformers.

Question 34

When and what was the suspension of Habeas Corpus?

Answer 34

1794 and 1817, allowing detention without trial.

Question 35

When and what was the Seditious Writings Act?

Answer 35

1792 and 1819, outlawing publications seen as inciting disaffection.

Question 36

When and what was the Treason Act?

Answer 36

1795, broadened definition of treason to include speech or writing.

Question 37

When and what was the Seditious Meetings Act?

Answer 37

1795 and 1817, restricted public meetings of more than 50 people.

Question 38

When and what were the Gagging Acts?

Answer 38

1817, included the Seditious Meetings and Habeas Corpus Suspension Acts.

Question 39

When and what were the Six Acts?

Answer 39

1819, six laws that limited freedoms of speech and assembly and increased government power.

Question 40

Who was Thomas Paine?

Answer 40

Political theorist, author of 'Rights of Man', supported revolution and reform.

Question 41

Who was John Cartwright?

Answer 41

Radical reformer, founder of the Hampden Clubs.

Question 42

Who was William Cobbett?

Answer 42

Radical journalist who criticized the government.

Question 43

What was the Political Register?

Answer 43

A newspaper by Cobbett promoting reform, widely read by working class.

Question 44

How significant was Henry Hunt?

Answer 44

Very significant; leading figure in mass protest movement and key speaker at Peterloo.

Question 45

Describe the geography of discontent between 1790 and 1819.

Answer 45

Discontent was concentrated in industrial towns like Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham, and London, where working classes demanded reform.