The British Revolution That Didn't Happen

The British Revolution That Didn't Happen

The definition of a revolution is the complete overthrow of the

system, usually by force, by people not in power.

The first period of instability at this time was 1789 - the French

Revolution. It's been said that "this inspired many people and ideas;

in particular it influenced the British to examine their own

constitution and provided confidence in the possibility of change."

However, Asa Briggs believes "the main effect of the French Revolution

was not to revitalise English politics at the base of society but to

encourage repression from above." The main objectives of the radical

groups appearing at this time seem to be "reformist rather than

revolutionary" (Peaple & Lancaster). As a result of the French

Revolution Pitt turned away from reform, now subsequently linked to

revolution. Many of the elite feared that social and political changes

might occur in Britain as they had in France. Due to this belief,

reform agitation was met with repression and it's believed by many

that what was thought to be the threat of revolution in the 1790s is

best seen as a "panic reaction amongst some of the propertied classes

as a result of the intensification and growing violence of events

across the channel" (Peaple & Lancaster). On reflection, rather than

inspiring radical protest, the French Revolution encouraged its

suppression, although it did play an important role in the political

awakening of the lower classes as the radical ideology of liberty,

equality and brotherhood was derived from French example.

Throughout this period the industrial revolution was taking place and

many of the emerging c...

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...ake much of an impact and

"widespread and generalised economic discontent…was largely missing

from Britain" as the real wages stayed relatively stable. The radical

parties of the period seemed to want moderate reform of the

parliamentary system, rather than its complete overthrow. The 1832

Reform Act gave them this reform and it appears to be this which

ultimately diffused the situation. The terms of the Act gave the

middle classes what they were campaigning for so their support for the

radical campaigns dwindled which made the potential revolution much

easier to control.

I believe that Britain had many revolutionary factors but they didn't

all come together in a way which could cause revolution. The

government handled the situation well and the network of spies helped

suppress any major chance of a revolution.