The Changing Response of the Government to Political and Social Pressures (1812-1830)

The Changing Response of the Government to Political and Social Pressures (1812-1830)

The Background to Government Response (1812-1830)

  • During the early 19th century, Britain was largely ruled by Tory governments with Lord Liverpool as the Prime Minister (1812-1827).
  • Liverpool’s government was primarily concerned with maintaining law and order and overseeing the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars.
  • The challenge of socio-economic issues such as high food prices, unemployment, and the radical demand for political reform amounted to increasing political and social pressures.

Policies and Actions (1812-1830)

  • Following the 1817 Blanketeers’ March, the government passed the Habeas Corpus Suspension Act to suppress radical activity.
  • The shock of the Peterloo Massacre in 1819 prompted the Tory government to enact the Six Acts, further aiming to curtail radical reform and public gatherings.
  • In 1822, a more liberal wing of the Tory government, dubbed the ‘Liberal Tories’, gained influence, leading to changes in policies that started to address social issues, such as the repeal of the Combination Acts.
  • Robert Peel, as the Home Secretary, launched a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system, culminating in the 1827 Metropolitan Police Act.

The Impact and Outcomes (1812-1830)

  • The initial harsh measures by the state against protestors and political activists resulted in the radical movement going underground, leading to more secretive and potentially revolutionary behaviour.
  • The government’s response to public pressure showed an element of flexibility and willingness to reform over time, particularly with the influence of the Liberal Tories.
  • The policing reform led by Peel introduced a more professional and less militaristic approach towards maintaining law and order, an important step in the path towards modern policing.
  • Despite these attempts at reform and easing of social pressures, widespread dissatisfaction with limited political representation would continue to simmer and would ultimately lead to the rise of the Chartist movement.

It’s important to reflect on the complications and contrasting actions of the government during this period. There was a mix of hard-line policies, fear of revolution, and gradual reform, displaying a government grappling with significant internal and external challenges.