Not successful, because it was radical weaknesses and not government's direct actions.
Some successes like repressive policies preventing radical activities.
Weaknesses of Radicalism - radical movement not united (NOT SUCCESSFUL benefited from weakness)
- divided between those advocated violence like Spenceans in Cato Street Conspiracy in February 23 1820 and non violent groups.
- division weakened development of a united working class response
- outbreaks of unrest such as Luddism were viewed as nothing more than expression of grievances by protesters who were hopeful and not forceful for change
Acts favouring landowners provoked more Radical movements (NOT SUCCESSFUL) instead of controlling it -after war with France between 1793-1815, landowners who dominated parliament demanded a ban on imports of foreign wheat until British wheat reached 80 shillings a quarter. (1815 corn laws)
- Law provoked St peter's Field meeting, 16 Aug 1819 and subsequent massacre.
- Game Laws, 1816 saw poaching against landowners punishable up to 7 year, transportation to Australia, leading to eventual riots over a decade later in the Swing Riots.
- Class legislations caused poor to struggle to survive on little food and provoked more discontent.
Peterloo Massacre -1819 (NOT SUCCESSFUL)
- Lord sidmouth tried preventing yeomanry to act on the mass meeting at st peter's field
- government congratulated manchester magistrates for 'prompt, decisive and efficient measures for the preservation of public tranquility.'
-outcry in press include the Times and middle class papers which gained radicals more sympathy and support.
-used as propaganda by radicals
-Memoirs of Henry Hunt 1820 'assailed by the Manchester yeomanry Calvary who charged the multitude, sword in hand.'
-Drawings with captions the more you kill the less poor rates you'll have to pay'
- created more sympathy for radicals
Repressive acts (SUCCESSFUL to an extent)
- response to Spa Field riots of December 1816
