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glossary document index

A complete list of all the supporting documents for the time periods between 1215 and 1945.

1815 - 1848

Economic distress and increasing demands

Timeline of some of the major events and milestones during the years 1815 to 1848. Read the background section to put these into context.

1816
Spa Fields Riot
1816
William Cobbett produces a cheap edition of his Political Register to spread reform ideas among the poor.
1816-17
Growth of 'Hampden Clubs'.
1817
Pentrich Rising, Nottinghamshire.
1817
'March of the Blanketeers'; unemployed Lancashire weavers march.
1818
Sir Francis Burdett's motion for parliamentary reform is defeated.
1819
'Peterloo Massacre', Manchester.
1820
Cato Street Conspiracy; plans for the killing of the cabinet.
1820-21
The 'Queen Caroline Affair'.
1822
County meetings organised by leading Whigs to promote parliamentary reform.
1824
Combination Acts repealed.
1829
Formation of the Birmingham Political Union.
1829
Catholic Emancipation Act.
1830
Wellington declares against any need for parliamentary reform.
1830-31
Swing Riots.
1831
The 'Merthyr Rising: industrial unrest in South Wales.
1831
Reform Riots.
1832
Great Reform Act.
1833
Althorp's Factory Act introduces the factory inspectorate.
1833-38
Slavery abolished throughout the British Empire.
1834
Tolpuddle Martyrs sentenced to transportation for swearing illegal oaths.
1834
Poor Law Amendment Act introduces the 'New Poor Law' in England and Wales based on the workhouse system.
1837-38
Violent reactions to the New Poor Law in the Midlands and Northern manufacturing counties.
1838
Formation of the Anti-Corn Law League.
1838
Publication of the 'Charter': six political points to democratise Britain.
1838
The first edition of Feargus O'Connor's Northern Star published.
1839
First of the Chartist petitions presented to parliament.
1839
The 'Newport Rising'; 20 people die in an exchange between local Chartists and the military.
1839-44
Rebecca Riots.
1842
Mines Act: women and young children under 10 are not to be employed underground.
1842
'General Strike' in the northern and midlands towns.
1842
Second of the Chartist petitions presented to parliament.
1845
The Chartist Land Plan.
1847
Factory Act: restricts working hours for women and young children in textile factories.
1848
Chartist Kennington Common Meeting.
1848
Third and final Chartist petition presented to parliament.