Political change and protest 1750-1900

London was at the centre of political change throughout this period. Large open spaces, such as Kennington Common, Hyde Park and Trafalgar Square, were used for mass meetings and rallies.

Occasionally these erupted into violence and riots broke out. Pamphlets, tracts, journals, illustrations and books were printed in London promoting campaigns and the ideas of radical thinkers. Petitions were presented to Parliament demanding the right to vote in elections.

The largest ever mass public campaign led to the abolition of slavery. Londoners organised themselves into trade unions and marched for their rights as workers. In the capital city people transformed their lives through political action and protest.

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