The Ballads of Peterloo – Alison Morgan

2019 marks 200 years since the Peterloo Massacre. It began as a peaceful protest of around 60,000 men, women and children, held in St Peter’s Field in Manchester on 16 August 1819. Protesters were campaigning for reform and democracy, demanding regular elections, universal male suffrage and a secret ballot. Within a climate of governmental fear over Luddism and what they saw as dangerous radicalism, local magistrates authorised troops to make arrests. A panicked yeomanry cavalry charged into the crowd killing approximately 18 people, and injuring over 600 more.

If you would like to read more about Peterloo on the History Workshop website please see this link:

http://www.historyworkshop.org.uk/s2-e3-the-ballads-of-peterloo/

Abigail Ball : 08 Apr 2019 08:52 |  Tags: Peterloo Research |  Comments (0) |  Report a problem