Joseph Cowen of Newcastle and Radical Liberalism
This thesis emanated from a conviction that major gaps in our knowledge of Liberal history remain, especially in the realm of regional politics. The research aims to challenge the widely held view that Tyneside was a bastion of Liberalism for the greater part of the nineteenth century. Summary electoral statistics are shown to be wholly unreliable as a description of the prevailing political ethos. The dynastic dominance of the Cowen family and, in particular, the salutary influence of Joseph Cowen Jnr. (1829-1900) ensured that Tyneside retained its strong radical tradition. The work begins by identifying the powerful agrarian and international roots of local politics and hiqhlighting the pivotal role of Thomas Spence. Tyneside was demonstrably in the vanguard of early nineteenth century movements, notably the 1832 Reform Act campaign and Chartism. In 1848, Cowen redirected radical energies into the cause of European nationalism and subsequently regenerated electoral reform through the formation of the Northern Reform Union. Politically ambitious, he sought to to win the confidence and loyalty of the working classes by involving himself in a plethora of 'improving' organisations. He actively encouraged mechanics'
Hugman, Joan
L200 Politics ; V300 History by topic
Joseph Cowen of Newcastle and Radical Liberalism. This thesis emanated from a conviction that major gaps in our knowledge of Liberal history remain, especially in the realm of regional politics. The research aims to challenge the widely held view that Tyneside was a bastion of Liberalism for the greater part of the nineteenth century. Summary electoral statistics are shown to be wholly unreliable as a description of the prevailing political ethos. The dynastic dominance of the Cowen family and, in particular, the salutary influence of Joseph Cowen Jnr. (1829-1900) ensured that Tyneside retained its strong radical tradition. The work begins by identifying the powerful agrarian and international roots of local politics and hiqhlighting the pivotal role of Thomas Spence. Tyneside was demonstrably in the vanguard of early nineteenth century movements, notably the 1832 Reform Act campaign and Chartism. In 1848, Cowen redirected radical energies into the cause of European nationalism and subsequently regenerated electoral reform through the formation of the Northern Reform Union. Politically ambitious, he sought to to win the confidence and loyalty of the working classes by involving himself in a plethora of 'improving' organisations. He actively encouraged mechanics'
newcastle radical liberalism emanate conviction major gap_knowledge liberal history remain especially realm regional politics aim challenge widely_hold view tyneside bastion liberalism great part summary electoral statistic show wholly unreliable description prevail political ethos dynastic dominance family particular influence person ensure tyneside retain strong radical tradition work begin_identify powerful agrarian international root local_politics pivotal_role thomas tyneside demonstrably early movement notably reform act campaign radical energy cause european nationalism subsequently regenerate electoral reform formation northern reform union politically ambitious sought win confidence loyalty work_class involve plethora improving organisation actively encourage mechanic