Political protest in London, 1750–1900
Between 1750 and 1900, London’s role as the capital and political heart of the nation and empire made it a focus for campaigners and protestors. As campaigners became more organised and vocal they became more effective in influencing political change.
Radical thinkers who wanted political and social change printed pamphlets, journals, illustrations and books to spread their ideas. Demonstrators gathered in large open spaces such as Kennington Common, Trafalgar Square and Hyde Park. These mass meetings and rallies sometimes caused confrontation and violence, which threatened social order.
Society was divided into three main classes (social groups). At the top was the upper class, or the ruling class. They had inherited their wealth, land, and social and political power from their families. At the bottom end was the working class. Ranging from unskilled labourers to skilled workers and tradesmen, they relied solely on their jobs to survive. Historically, they had no political power. The middle classes worked for a living, and even though some were relatively wealthy as they owned businesses or were professionals such as bankers and lawyers, they held little political power in the 1750s.
- Introduction (this page)
- What were the Gordon Riots?
- What was the Cato Street conspiracy?
- What was the Chartist movement?
- How did middle class men get the vote?
- What happened on Bloody Sunday 1887?
- Further information
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