HISTORY - BRITAIN PRECISE EVIDENCE

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Define Patronage
The right to give priveleges or make appointments. The King had the power of patrpnage, giving him political influence. His iministers also had limited powers of patronage
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What are the three parts of a constitutional monarchy?
The Monarch, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons
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Who was the British monarch in 1783, and for how long did he reign?
George III - from 1760-1820
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When was the Bill of Rights that established the supremacy of Parliament over Monarch passed?
1689, after the Glorious Revolution whereby Stuart King James II was forced to abdicate
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What powers did the Monarch have in relation to Parliament?
Influencing general policy, he could choose and dismiss ministers,, could summon and dissolve Parliament, but could not rule without it
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Why did the monarch rarely veto Parliamentary legislation?
Because he was financially dependent upon Parliament, and would not veto legislation if it jeporadised income
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Which house was the Upper House and which was the Lower House?
The House of Lords was the Upper House, and the House of Commons was the Lower House
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Who sat in the House of Lords?
Unelected hereditary peers, the ruling elite - could block any non-financial measures passed by the Commons. The King could create new peers if he wanted to reward loyalty.
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Who sat in the House of Commons?
An elected assembly, where most MP's belonged to the gentry - they represented the wishes of andowners and the gentry in their constituencies. Many different factions sat in the House, making it hard for a PM to achieve a stable majority
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Why was the House of Lords not democratic?
Becuase not everyone had the right to vote
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What were the duties of the House of Commons?
Controlled taxation, its main duty was to act as a check on the executive ministers.
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What was the Privy Council?
A group of advisers which acted as a bridge between monarch and Parliament. Members were appointed for life
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What happened to the Privy Council, and what replaced itin the 18th century?
The Privy Council became too big, and gained too much executive power. The Cabinet, a smaller, more manageable emerged, and held weekly meetings with the monarch
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Who, within the Cabinet, did the King usually pick to become his Prime Minister?
First Lord of the Treasury, who was usually a prominent member of the group which held the majority in the Commons
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Who were the two main political groups?
Whigs and Tories
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What happened in 1782?
Britain lost her American Colonies
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What was the result of Britain losing American colonies?
PM Lord North resigned. The King felt betrayed, espeically when he was forced to accept Lord Rockingham, whom he detested, in Lord North's place
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What was the main political debate surrounding George III during his reign?
Whether or not he tried to restore a more politically active monarchy
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What suggested that the King wanted a more politically active monarchy?
His ensuring William Pitt's success in the 1784 election, in order to undermine the Fox-North coalition
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Why did the House of Lords oppose political reform in order to create a more democratic Parliament?
Becuase it would threaten their positions, which were heredatory, created by peerage.
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How many peers sat in the House of Lords?
220 peers
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How many elected members were in the House of Commons?
558
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In 1783, how many men in Englad and Wales had the vote?
250,000
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Why was the percentage of voters in the population falling?
Because the population was rising
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How big, roughly, was the population in 1801?
9.4million
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What was a 'potwalloper' borough?
Where ownership of your own hearth gave you the right to vote
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What was a 'freemen' borough?
Where men who had the freedom of a city had the right to vote
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What was a 'scot and lot' borough?
Where the right to vote was based on the payment of a local tax
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What was a 'corporation' borough?
Where only the mayor and members of the corporation could vote
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What was a 'pocket' borough?
A place where landowners controlled the vote
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What was a 'rotten' borough?
A borough with few qualified voters, that still returned 2 MP's (example: Banbury)
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How many Scottish representatives sat in the Commons, and how many in the Lords?
45 in the Commons, and 16 in the Lords
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How often were general elections usually held for the Commons?
Every 7 years
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In some towns, power was shared by the gentry and merchant class. Who ran other towns?
The Mayor and Corporation, with the alderman as th Justice of the Peace
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When did Whigs and Tories become names of the two political groups
During the reign of Charles II (1660-1685) during the exclusion crisis
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What was the exclusion crisis?
When James, Duke of York, was prevented from claiming the throne because he was a Catholic
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Who prevented James Duke of York from taking the throne, and who supported his claim?
Whigs tried to prevent his claim, and Tories supported it
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Why did the Tories lose political influence after the exclusion crisis?
Because Protestant William of Orange accended to the throne instead of Catholic James, Duke of York
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What did the Whigs believe?
That political power should be with the Parliament, who represented the people. They believed in religious tolerance for Dissenters
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What did the Tories beieve?
That sovereignty belonged to the Monarch, and it was the people's duty to obey. They accepted the authority of the Anglican Church, and were hostile towards Radicals, Dissenters, and Catholics
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What party was William Pitt from?
He was from the Whig party, however, presented himself as more of a Tory, despite never identifying himself as such
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When did William Pitt first enter the Commons?
At age 21, in 1781. He was an MP
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When did William Pitt become PM?
1783, at the age of 24
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What was the relationship between Pitt and George III like?
One of mutual respect, however, lacking warmth and friendship. They were dependent upon each other. Pitt remained loyal to the King, who rewarded him with continued support
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What was the political crisis of 1782?
Lord North resigned, Lord Rockingham (King deteseted him) became PM, he died unexpectedly, and was replaced by Lord Shelburne, who was distrusted
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Who 'took down' Lord Shelburne's ministry (when Pitt was Chancellor of the Exchequer)
The Fox-North coalition - Fox was hated by the King, and Lord North had 'betrayed' the King, so the King, schemed against the colaltition, despite being forced to accept it
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What was the mince-pie administration?
Decemer 1783 - Pitt accepted office as PM, when the King extended invite to him over Fox, who had the majority in the Commons.It was predicted that Pitt's ministry would not last beyond Christmas
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How did Fox upset his own supporters?
By repeatedly speaking out against the King
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Why did Pitt win the 1784 election?
The King dissolved Parliament early, upon the request of Pitt, who waited until there was a 'single vote' between him and Fox. The King created new peers, and made sure Pitt could count on the support of the Upper House, and influential Whig families
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What was National Debt , and what was the 'Sinking Fund'?
National debt was set up in 1696 to deal with the costs of Britains continental wars. The Sinking Fund was set up by Pitt to tackle the debt
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How high was National Debt in 1783, and how did Pitt use the Sinking Fund?
ND reased £240million, and Pitt pain £1million of taxation into the Sinking fund per year, cutting ND by £10million
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How did Pitt reform trade?
Consolidation Act of 1787 - A book of rates introduced specific tax rates for each item. This was looked over by a Board of Trade
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What new taxes did Pitt introduce?
Taxes on horses, coaches, playing cards, bricks, hats, maid and male servants, and windows. This was in order to increase the previously falling government revenue
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What were commercial treaties?
Pitt attempted to propose free trade with Ireland, but this was opposed, so instead, he adopted a policy of free trade with France. This came into effect in 1786 - both countries reduced trade import duties
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What adminstrative problems did Pitt face?
The machinery of government was ineffecient, MP's took advantage of privileges, and accepted high sinecure offices.
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What is a sinecure office?
position with salary, handed out to MP's to gain their support, but that required little or no work; the modern informal term is a 'cushy job'
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What did Pitt do to solve his administration problems?
Abolished hundres of sinecure offices, ntroduced a new budgeting system, created a Consolidated Fund at the Bank of England wherein government payments were made
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Why and when did William Pitt reisgn?
1801 - when the King would not allow Catholic Emancipation
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Who was Pitt's first successor, and how long was he in office for?
Hnery Addington (1801-1804)
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Who succeded Addington?
Pitt - 1804-1906
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Who succeded Pitt after his second time in office?
Lord Grenville - 1806-1807
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Who succeded Grenville?
Duke of Portland - 1807-1809
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Who succeded Portland?
Spencer Perceval - 1809-1812
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When was the period of economic advance and industrialisationparticularly rapid?
1780-1812
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When was the first official census to determine the aize of the British population?
1801 - 10.9million
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What was the size of the British population in 1811?
12.6million
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What impact did the growing population have?
Provided a workforce for industrialisation, created a demand for clothes, food, and housing
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What impact did agricultural improvement have?
Increased food production, lower food prices, higher quality of food, better health, lower infant morality rates, longer life span, increase in standards of living
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What was the cottage industry?
The small scale domestyic production of linen and woll that usually took place in peoples homes, on spinning wheels. Production was limited, quality control was lacking, and processes were slow
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What advantages did cotton clothing have over linen and wool?
Cheaper, easier to wash, more comfortable to wear
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Why was cotton manufacturing esablished so quickly in Lancashire and Lanarkshire?
Fast-flowing rivers could produce power to turn machines, and proximity to major sea ports
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What did Arkwright invent?
A water frame in 1769, heralded the start of factory production and revolutionised industry
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What did Samuel Crompton invent?
The 'Mule' - cross between the water frame and Hargeaves' Spinning Jenny - high quality yarn, strong and fine. Widespread use in factories - most important invention in spinning
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What was the impact of the success of spinning on weaving?
Weaving was left behind, so the industry could not function
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What did Edmund Cartwright design?
The power loom, which operted by steam power. This restored the balance between spinning and weaving
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What 2 industries did the development of the cotton industry benefit?
The iron and coal industries
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What was the output of pig iron in 1788 and 1804?
68,000tons in 1788, and 250,000tons in 1804
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Where were the four main areas where the coal and iron industry became concentrated and why?
Clydeside, Black Coutnry, South Wales, South Yorkshire - due to supplies of coal and iron ore
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What did the output of coal rise to between 1780's-1812?
7million in the 1780's to 14million in 1812
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What transport network was developed in the 1780's
A canal network - could transport heavy, bulky good more cheaply, and easily
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What were the shortcomings of the canal system?
Canals froze over in winter, routes were limited
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Who developed the steam engine successfully, and when was this?
James Watt - 1780's
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Who did James Watt team up with to produce the steam engine on a large scale
Matthew Boulton
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By 1800, what percentage of the labour force worked in agriculture?
Less than half - first time this had been a smaller number than those working in factories
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In 1800, how much food could one farmer produce?
Enough to feed 2.5 people (perviously, this was 1.7)
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What were the positive benefits of enclosure?
Higher crop yeild, healthier livestock, allowed a system of crop rotation, better quality food
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What were the shortcomings of enclosure?
Emphasised inequality in the countryside, more people had to fill fewer jobs, so wages fell, people were forced to fall back on parish poor relief
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Within the growing urban centre, what class emerged?
A strong middle class
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By 1800, how much of the population belonged to middle and professional classes?
25%
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What types of workers made up the industrial workforce?
Unskilled labourers and skilled craftsmen
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Urban development highlighted what problem?
That the majority of the poulation experienced a lack of political rights
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What did society in the countryside look like? (class structure?)
Landowning classes, tenant farmers, yeoman class
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What class made up the majority of the rural population?
Landless agricultural labourers
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What were Game Laws?
Laws which prevented landless labourers hunting in order to supplement their basic diets
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What was the effect of industrialisation on working conditions?
Working conditions in factories worsened, and although workers had a higher wage, and a more stable working routine, this did not negate the effect of the awful conditions
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What health impact did the humidty in cotton mills have?
Caused lung infections, and breathing problems
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Name some negative working conditions
No safety guards on machines, high risk of fire, harsh discipline, shifts were 12 hours, 6 days a week, factory work lacked the freedom and flexibility of the domestic system
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What percentage of the workforce was children?
20%
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What evidence supports the optimistic view that standard of living improved as a result of industrialisation?
Higher wages, 'indices' on living and wages indicated an upwards trend, variety and amount of food consumed increased between 1800-1850
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What evidence supports the pessimistic view that standard of living did not improve as a result of industrialisation?
Poor living and working conditions, poor harvests, the disruption of war, price changes rose more than wage changes
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What was the price of grain per quarter in the 1790's compared to 1811?
1790's - £2.70, 1811 - £4.70 (peaking at £6.30 9n 1812)
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In what years did taxation increase?
1793-1815
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When was tax on income introduced?
1798
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What were the negative effects of the war with France?
Food shortages, price rises, unsteady job market
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When were the Combinations Acts introduced?
1799-1800
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What were trade societies?
Forerunners of trade unions, representing the interests of skilled artisans, dealing with employers to ensure a fair wage and to protect jobs from being taken by unskilled workers
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What were Friendly Societies?
Groups of workmen providing insurance for themsleves and their families against sickness, old age, and death
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When and what was the Friendy Societies Act?
1793 - gave members legal rights to hold meetings and have their funds protected
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What were Corresponding Societies?
Sprung up after the French Revolution in 1789 - akin to working men's social club of a laer era, but their meetings were alive with talks of France, and ideas of freedom and democracy
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Why did the government make Corresponding Societies illegal?
On the basis that they were 'unlawful combinations'
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When did the master millwrights of London send a petition to the House of Commons, and what was it about?
1799 - complaining about strike action from labour forces, asking for tougher action against this
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What do the 1799 petition achieve?
The Combination Acts - making all associations of working men illegal
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What did the parallel act to the Combinations Act mean for Masters?
Passed only to give parity between masters and their workforces
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Why where the combinations acts not very serious?
There were few prosecutions, magistrates turned a blind eye to all non-violent meetings
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In what year did the French Revolution break out?
1789
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Why was Pitt's initial respone to the French Revlotuion one of caution, but not alarm?
Becuase he thought it would proccupy the French government to the point where they would not disturb Britain
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Why did the Whigs initially support the French Revolution?
Becuase they viewed it as the French version of Britain's 1688 Glorious Revolution
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What did Whig Edmund Burke say to upset Whig leader Charles Fox?
That the French revolution would end in bitter bloodshed
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What did Tom Paine say about the French Revolution?
That it was a triumph for the ordinary man. He called for political reform, universal male sufferage, and reductions in the influence and power of the aristocracy
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Who set up the London Corresponding Societ and when was this?
Thomas Hardy, in 1792
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What did the members of the LCS want?
Political reform and lower taxes
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Which of the actions of the French government seriously alarmed the British governmen?
The 1792 Septermber Massacres
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What was the Edict of Fraternity?
An announcement offering support to any nation rising up against their sovereign, issued in November 1792
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When were King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antionette executed?
January 1793
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When did Pitt issue an order against seditious writings?
May 1792
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When was Thomas Hardy tried for treason, and aquitted of all charges?
May 1794
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In which year was habeas corpus suspended, and what was it?
Habeas corpus preserved the right on an individual not to be detained illegally, it was suspended in 1794
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When was the Treasonable practices Act passed, and what did it do?
1795, made it an offence to speak against the King
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What was the Seditious Meetings Act?
Passed to curb large gatheringd in order to avoid possible riots
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When and why did the British Navy mutiny?
1797 - awful pay, terrible conditions, harsh punishments for minor misdemeanors
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When was the Irish Parliament granted legislative independence?
1782
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When was the Society for United Irishmen formed, and who was one of the founders?
October 1791 - Wolfe Tone
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What did Wolfe Tone want?
For Catholics and Prybesterians to work together to gain political rights, and ultimately achieve seperation from England
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When did Pitt persuade the Dublin Parliament to pass a Catholic Relief Act?
1793 - gave Catholics rights to vote, but not be MPs
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When did Pitt attempt to introduced full Catholic emancipation, and why did he not achieve it?
1795 - It was met by fierce oppostion from George III
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When was Wolfe Tone involved in plotting French landings in France, and what happened?
1797-98 - The attacks failed, Wolfe Tone was captured, on shore, a poorly armed and poorly prepared rebellion led bythe United Irishmen failed. Wolfe Tone cut his throat in prison, awaiting trial
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When was the Act of Union?
1800
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What were the two main issues for Pitt if he wanted to bring Ireland into the British political system - what were they?
He would have to persuade the Dublin Parliament to accept fewer seats in Westminister, and would have to bribe the Catholics with a promise of emancipation
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Why did Pitt resign after 17 years in office?
Because George III refused to allow Catholic emancipation, so Pitt could not fufill his promise to the Irish Catholics in particular
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What did the largely intellectual radicals say?
They criticised the established church, the political establishment, and the influence and values of the aristocracy who dominated politics and society
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Who were the pro-French-Revolution Whigs led by?
Charles Fox
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When did Pitt revert to a policy of repression?
1793
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