Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780–1928 - 1…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 36.1: Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780–1928 - 1 Radical reformers, c1790–1819: Aims, tactics and impact of extra-parliamentary protest: the London Corresponding Society, 1792–93, the Spa Fields meetings, 1816, the Pentridge Rising, 1817, and Peterloo, 1819; extent of success by 1819.
This topic examines four episodes of extra-parliamentary protest.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 3
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
This topic examines four episodes of extra-parliamentary protest. The London Corresponding Society (1792–93) aimed at parliamentary reform, especially universal male suffrage and annual parliaments; it used correspondence, mass meetings and cheap pamphlets to build a national network. The Spa Fields meetings (1816) combined petitioning with huge open-air gatherings and produced the Spa Fields Riots. The Pentridge Rising (1817) was a small armed insurrection in Derbyshire, aiming to seize power locally and spark wider revolt; it was quickly crushed. Peterloo (1819) was a peaceful mass meeting near Manchester demanding reform; magistrates sent in yeomanry, causing deaths and injuries. By 1819, protest had raised public awareness and produced a government crackdown, but had not achieved parliamentary reform; success was limited.
What earns the marks
- Aims: the LCS sought universal male suffrage and annual parliaments; Spa Fields demanded reform and relief from distress; Pentridge aimed at insurrection; Peterloo demanded reform and condemned the Corn Laws.
- Tactics: LCS used correspondence, pamphlets and mass meetings; Spa Fields used petitioning and open-air meetings; Pentridge used armed rising; Peterloo used a peaceful mass meeting.
- Impact: LCS spread radical ideas and led to government repression; Spa Fields alarmed authorities and led to the Gagging Acts; Pentridge discredited armed revolt; Peterloo caused casualties and a public backlash.
- Extent of success by 1819: reform was not achieved; however, protest increased awareness, created a radical press and led to the Six Acts, showing government fear.
- Role of government response: each protest provoked repression, which shaped the extent of success.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating Peterloo as a riot by protesters.
Put it right: It was a peaceful meeting attacked by yeomanry.
Claiming the Pentridge Rising achieved its aims.
Put it right: It was a small, failed insurrection that was quickly suppressed.
Saying the LCS was a secret society.
Put it right: It was an open organisation using correspondence and public meetings.
Exam tips
- Link each protest to its aims, tactics and impact to show analysis.
- Use specific dates and names to support arguments.
- Evaluate the extent of success by 1819 by comparing aims with outcomes.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 36.1: Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780–1928 - 1 Radical reformers, c1790–1819: Aims, tactics and impact of extra-parliamentary protest: the London Corresponding Society, 1792–93, the Spa Fields meetings, 1816, the Pentridge Rising, 1817, and Peterloo, 1819; extent of success by 1819. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which tactic did the London Corresponding Society use in 1792–93 to spread its reform aims among working men?
Listen
This topic examines four episodes of extra-parliamentary protest. The London Corresponding Society (1792–93) aimed at parliamentary reform, especially universal male suffrage and annual parliaments; it used correspondence, mass meetings and cheap pamphlets to build a national network. The Spa Fields meetings (1816) combined petitioning with huge open-air gatherings and produced the Spa Fields Riots. The Pentridge Rising (1817) was a small armed insurrection in Derbyshire, aiming to seize power locally and spark wider revolt; it was quickly crushed. Peterloo (1819) was a peaceful mass meeting near Manchester demanding reform; magistrates sent in yeomanry, causing deaths and injuries. By 1819, protest had raised public awareness and produced a government crackdown, but had not achieved parliamentary reform; success was limited. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Aims: the LCS sought universal male suffrage and annual parliaments; Spa Fields demanded reform and relief from distress; Pentridge aimed at insurrection; Peterloo demanded reform and condemned the Corn Laws. Tactics: LCS used correspondence, pamphlets and mass meetings; Spa Fields used petitioning and open-air meetings; Pentridge used armed rising; Peterloo used a peaceful mass meeting. Impact: LCS spread radical ideas and led to government repression; Spa Fields alarmed authorities and led to the Gagging Acts; Pentridge discredited armed revolt; Peterloo caused casualties and a public backlash. Extent of success by 1819: reform was not achieved; however, protest increased awareness, created a radical press and led to the Six Acts, showing government fear. A common slip: treating Peterloo as a riot by protesters. Instead, it was a peaceful meeting attacked by yeomanry. Exam tip: Link each protest to its aims, tactics and impact to show analysis.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Peterloo was a peaceful mass meeting near Manchester
- 2. London Corresponding Society campaigned for parliamentary reform
- 3. Pentridge Rising was a small armed insurrection in Derbyshire
- 4. Spa Fields meetings combined petitioning with open-air gatherings
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Test your understanding of Paper 3, Option 36.1: Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780–1928 - 1 Radical reformers, c1790–1819: Aims, tactics and impact of extra-parliamentary protest: the London Corresponding Society, 1792–93, the Spa Fields meetings, 1816, the Pentridge Rising, 1817, and Peterloo, 1819; extent of success by 1819.
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