Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780–1928 - 2…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 36.1: Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780–1928 - 2 Chartism, c1838–c1850: Government responses; the significance of Major General Napier; the impact of the growth of a rail network.
Government responses to Chartism included repression and limited concession.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Government responses to Chartism included repression and limited concession. In 1839, ministers sent troops, arrested leaders, and rejected the petition. By 1842, they used force to break strikes. In 1848, they swore in special constables and used the military to deter a mass rally. Major General Napier, commanding troops in the north in 1839, showed restraint, avoiding bloodshed; his significance lies in preventing escalation without excessive force, despite his own radical sympathies. The growth of the rail network enabled rapid troop deployment, making government suppression more effective. Railways also spread news and ideas, inadvertently aiding protest coordination. Thus, government responses combined coercion with emerging infrastructure.
What earns the marks
- Describes government actions: rejection of petitions, arrests, use of troops, special constables.
- Explains Napier's role in 1839: his decision to avoid confrontation and its impact on Chartist morale.
- Assesses how railways allowed quick movement of troops to trouble spots, enhancing government control.
- Evaluates the dual impact of railways: facilitating both suppression and the spread of radical ideas.
- Compares government responses in 1839, 1842 and 1848, noting shifts in tactics.
- Considers the significance of Napier's restraint in contrast to other military interventions.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Claiming Napier was purely a reactionary military figure.
Put it right: Napier actually held radical sympathies and understood Chartist grievances, which informed his restraint.
Overlooking the role of local magistrates and yeomanry.
Put it right: Include their actions alongside central government.
Assuming railways only helped the government.
Put it right: Note that railways also helped Chartists travel and communicate.
Stating that government always used violent repression.
Put it right: Acknowledge instances of restraint and the use of legal measures.
Exam tips
- Use specific examples (e.g., Napier's troops in Manchester, railway lines used in 1842) to support your points.
- Analyse the significance of Napier by considering what might have happened without his restraint.
- Link the rail network to both government and Chartist activities to show balanced understanding.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 36.1: Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780–1928 - 2 Chartism, c1838–c1850: Government responses; the significance of Major General Napier; the impact of the growth of a rail network. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What was the main government response to the first Chartist petition presented to Parliament in 1839?
Listen
Government responses to Chartism included repression and limited concession. In 1839, ministers sent troops, arrested leaders, and rejected the petition. By 1842, they used force to break strikes. In 1848, they swore in special constables and used the military to deter a mass rally. Major General Napier, commanding troops in the north in 1839, showed restraint, avoiding bloodshed; his significance lies in preventing escalation without excessive force, despite his own radical sympathies. The growth of the rail network enabled rapid troop deployment, making government suppression more effective. Railways also spread news and ideas, inadvertently aiding protest coordination. Thus, government responses combined coercion with emerging infrastructure. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Describes government actions: rejection of petitions, arrests, use of troops, special constables. Explains Napier's role in 1839: his decision to avoid confrontation and its impact on Chartist morale. Assesses how railways allowed quick movement of troops to trouble spots, enhancing government control. Evaluates the dual impact of railways: facilitating both suppression and the spread of radical ideas. A common slip: Claiming Napier was purely a reactionary military figure. Instead, Napier actually held radical sympathies and understood Chartist grievances, which informed his restraint. Exam tip: Use specific examples (e.g., Napier's troops in Manchester, railway lines used in 1842) to support your points.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Ministers sent troops, arrested leaders and rejected the petition
- 2. Special constables sworn in and military used to deter mass rally
- 3. Government used force to break strikes
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
State repression and public order
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Role of the military in civil unrest
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Technological change and protest
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Leadership and decision-making
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- State repression and public order
- Government responses to Chartism included repression and limited concession, sending troops, arresting leaders and rejecting petitions.
- Role of the military in civil unrest
- Troops were used to break strikes and deter a mass rally, while Major General Napier showed restraint to avoid bloodshed.
- Technological change and protest
- The growth of the rail network enabled rapid troop deployment and also spread news and ideas, aiding protest coordination.
- Leadership and decision-making
- Major General Napier's significance lies in preventing escalation without excessive force, despite his own radical sympathies.
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