Luddite Riots; started in Nottingham shire in 1811 when outbursts of men began breaking machinery as they believed the machinery used in the textile industry was depriving them of their livelihood. The machines created cheaper and poorer quality clothes far quicker than the skilled workers before hand. They accused factory owners of underhand practices which undervalued their skill, put them out of work or reduced their wages. Frustrated at the lack of resolution the knitters turned to violent action and a wave of machine breaking, intimidation and rioting. They operated at night time and it was believed to be led by Ned Ludd.
The government
response was that of panic and they believed that it was a large threat. 60 men
were put on trial for Luddite offences and 3 were hanged for the murder of a
man by 4 Luddites. As further offences were committed soldiers were drafted in
to keep order after a spate of arrests, trials, transportation and hangings
the resistance ended.
Spa Field Riots: 2nd Dec 1816
2 mass meetings of protesters, led by Thomas Spence who advocated for universal male suffrage, annual general elections and secret ballot. The government grew concerned at the activity of the leaders so placed a spy (John Castle) within the group. Harry Hunt spoke at the second meeting which turned violent with riots. 80 Police were sent in, one man stabbed and a passer by was killed. The 4 leaders were arrested and put on trial. John C was labelled as an agent provocateur and all 4 leaders were set free.
Blanketeers: 10th Mar 1817
25,000 gathered to march with a petition to the Regent Prince in London (from Manchester). Cavalry broke up the meeting before they could depart, group of around 500 made it away but were attacked by the cavalry.
Peterloo: 16th Aug 1819
St Peters field in Manchester where a group of 60-80,000 of all classes gathered to demand reform of parliamentary representation. Henry Hunt was the speaker there as the 'champion of the people', he argued for the right to vote for all men and women. Was supposed to be a peaceful meeting but cavalry charged the crowd on JP's orders after fear of revolution. This killed 15 and injured 600.
Cato Street Conspiracy: May 1st 1820
A group of middle class people planned to assassinate the British cabinet ministers of Lord Liverpool's government in the name of reform however one was a spy who kept the police all informed who decided to move and arrest 13, 5 executed and 5 sent to Australia.
Queen Caroline Affair: 1820
Caroline of Brunswick had moved away from her husband George IV and wanted to come back to claim her right to the crown however George did not want her to. He got parliament to introduce Acts that removed her rights to claim the crown whilst he also tried to divorce her. Public sympathy went to Caroline and it made George even more unpopular, George then put the pressure on Liverpool to get the public to like him again.
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