Event 5: How revolutionary was the Peterloo?
What was Peterloo?
“Peterloo” was the popular nickname for a radical meeting in St Peter's Field, Manchester
on August 16th 1819. The crowd was attacked by government soldiers who killed eleven
people and wounded 400 others. The name “Peterloo” mocks the soldiers. The British
Army had helped to defeat the French at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
What happened at Peterloo?
With unemployment still high, radical leaders called a series of huge meetings in Leeds,
Birmingham, London and Manchester. On a hot and sunny day on August 16th 1819, more
than 60,000 people, mostly poor and unemployed packed into St Peter's Field to hear
Henry Hunt speak. There were men, women and children in the crowd, music played and
banners carried slogans such as “Liberty”, “Votes for all” or “Reform or Death”. When the
crowd cheered to hear Hunt, local magistrates panicked thinking it was the start of a
rebellion. A horn sounded and soldiers on horseback attacked the unarmed crowd on the
magistrate's orders. Two women and a child were among the dead.
How did the government react to Peterloo?
Hunt was arrested and imprisoned. Lord Liverpool's government introduced six acts of
parliament as an emergency for one year to control protest and unrest.
 A tax was put on newspapers making them more expensive to buy. This was meant
to prevent poor people being able to afford them. It was aimed at newspapers that
supported reform or the radicals.
 Military training and marching outside the army was banned. This was aimed at
stopping any radical or rebel army forming.
 Trials were speeded up. This was aimed at punishing troublemakers more quickly.
 Magistrates could order private houses to be searched for weapons.
 Public meetings of over 50 people were banned.
 Magistrates could seize and then destroy newspapers or other publications. This
was aimed at stopping the spread of radical or reform propaganda.
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