Political radicals and the Peterloo Massacre
I can explain why there were increasing demands for reform after 1815 and how government fear about this led to the Peterloo Massacre.
Political radicals and the Peterloo Massacre
I can explain why there were increasing demands for reform after 1815 and how government fear about this led to the Peterloo Massacre.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The Corn Laws were introduced in 1815 to keep the price of wheat high by putting tariffs on foreign imports.
- The Corn Laws meant many poor people could no longer afford bread.
- The government ignored industrial workers who had no right to vote, which increased calls for universal suffrage.
- Tens of thousands of industrial workers gathered at St Peter's Field in Manchester in 1819 to peacefully protest.
- The local yeomanry attacked protestors at St Peter's Field, killing 16, this became known as 'the Peterloo Massacre'.
Keywords
Tariff - a tariff is a tax to be paid on goods purchased from abroad
Universal suffrage - universal suffrage describes a system where all adults can vote
Radical - a person who supports the idea that there should be big social and political changes is known as a radical
Reactionary - a person who opposes political or social progress and reform is known as a reactionary
Yeomanry - yeomanry are local volunteer soldiers
Common misconception
Radicals encouraged the use of violence to solve the problems that industrial workers faced.
Radicals like Cobbett and Hunt emphaisised the importance of peaceful protests and the need to persuade government to extend voting rights.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
supports big social and political reforms
opposes political or social progress and reform
supports use of violence to achieve big changes