What were the causes of the Peterloo Massacre in 1819?

The Peterloo Massacre in 1819 was caused by demands for parliamentary reform and economic distress among the working class.

In the early 19th century, Britain was undergoing significant social and economic changes. The Industrial Revolution had transformed the economy, but it also led to widespread poverty and poor working conditions for many people. The Corn Laws, which imposed tariffs on imported grain, made food expensive and added to the economic hardship. Many working-class people felt that the government was not representing their interests and that the political system was unfair. Only a small percentage of the population could vote, and industrial cities like Manchester had little representation in Parliament.

In response to these issues, a movement for parliamentary reform began to grow. Reformers wanted to extend the right to vote and to make the political system more democratic. One of the leading figures in this movement was Henry Hunt, a charismatic speaker who advocated for universal suffrage and annual parliaments. On 16 August 1819, a large crowd gathered at St Peter's Field in Manchester to hear Hunt speak. The organisers intended the meeting to be peaceful, and many attendees brought their families along.

However, the local magistrates were nervous about the size of the crowd and feared that the meeting could turn into a riot. They decided to arrest Hunt and other leaders, and they called in the local yeomanry (a volunteer cavalry force) to help. The yeomanry, many of whom were inexperienced and poorly trained, charged into the crowd with sabres drawn. In the chaos that followed, at least 15 people were killed and hundreds were injured.

The Peterloo Massacre shocked the nation and highlighted the urgent need for political reform. It also demonstrated the government's willingness to use force to suppress dissent, which further fuelled the reform movement.