Human Rights

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1760 - 1815

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• Timeline
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Aspiring for popular rights

Timeline of some of the major events and milestones during the years 1760 to 1815. Read the background section to put these into context.

1763

Action is instigated against John Wilkes MP for the publication of a seditious libel against the government in The North Briton.

1766

Widespread food riots in East Anglia, the midlands, central Southern England and the West Country.

1768-70

John Wilkes returns from 4 years in exile and is elected MP for Middlesex.

1771

The Corporation of London campaigned for the freedom of parliamentary reporting in newspapers.

1776

American Declaration of Independence.

1776

Major Cartwright's Take Your Choice publication advocates universal suffrage and annual parliaments.

1776

John Wilkes seeks leave to bring in a bill to introduce a 'just and equal' parliament.

1779

Formation of the 'Yorkshire Association'; in favour of moderate parliamentary reform for which it petitioned parliament the following year.

1779

Spinners break into Arkwright's spinning-house near Chorley in Lancashire and set fire to it.

1783

William Pitt the Younger introduces a limited reform bill but it is defeated in the House of Commons.

1785

William Pitt the Younger introduces a bill to remove the representation of thirty-six rotten boroughs and to extend the electoral franchise to more individuals; the bill is defeated in the House of Commons.

1789

French Revolution

1791-92

Thomas Paine's Rights of Man is published in two parts.

1792

London Corresponding Society established. Similar societies are formed across Britain around the same time.

1792

Mary Wollstonecraft's Vindication of the Rights of Women is published.

1793

Britain is at war with France.

1793-4

Leaders of the British Convention at Edinburgh are arrested, tried and sentenced. Radical leaders in England are arrested but found not guilty of high treason

1797

British naval mutinies.

1799

Combination Acts outlaw trade unions.

1799

Corresponding societies are made illegal.

1802

Textile workers in Wiltshire: woollen workers destroyed several mills.

1802

Health and Morals of Apprentices Act: the first 'Factory Act'

1803

Execution of Colonel Despard for high treason.

1807

The Abolition of Slave Trade Act outlaws the British Atlantic slave trade.

1811-16

Luddite attacks in several midland and northern counties; mainly Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire and Lancashire

1812

Killing of Spencer Perceval, Prime Minister.

1812

The London Hampden Club is formed to promote the cause of parliamentary reform.

1815

War with France ends: mass demobilisation of armed forces.