The radical experiment in Liverpool and its influence on the reform movement in the early Victorian period
This thesis investigates the development of radical politics in Liverpool in the first half of the nineteenth century and argues that distinctive events and trends in Liverpool exercised an important influence on the activities of the Reform Movement nationally between 1848 and 1854. It addresses two important but largely neglected areas of historiography: first, the political history of Liverpool in the years between the abolition of the slave trade and the mass influx of Irish refugees in mid-century, during which time the town rose to commercial pre-eminence; secondly, the influence of major provincial centres such as Liverpool on politics at the national level. The origins of Liverpoolâs reformist Town Council of 1835-1841 are traced and show a continuity of thought and personalities over several decades against a backdrop of Tory paternalism and institutionalised corruption. The new reformist administration is seen as laying the foundations of a modern society through good governance, financial economy, civil liberty and innovation. On the Corn Laws issue, Liverpoolâs reformers were reluctant to follow Manchesterâs lead, preferring to pursue free trade on a broad front. This study follows their
Foggo, Anthony
DA Great Britain ; HC Economic History and Conditions ; HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform ; JN101 Great Britain ; JS Local government Municipal government ; LA History of education
The radical experiment in Liverpool and its influence on the reform movement in the early Victorian period. This thesis investigates the development of radical politics in Liverpool in the first half of the nineteenth century and argues that distinctive events and trends in Liverpool exercised an important influence on the activities of the Reform Movement nationally between 1848 and 1854. It addresses two important but largely neglected areas of historiography: first, the political history of Liverpool in the years between the abolition of the slave trade and the mass influx of Irish refugees in mid-century, during which time the town rose to commercial pre-eminence; secondly, the influence of major provincial centres such as Liverpool on politics at the national level. The origins of Liverpoolâs reformist Town Council of 1835-1841 are traced and show a continuity of thought and personalities over several decades against a backdrop of Tory paternalism and institutionalised corruption. The new reformist administration is seen as laying the foundations of a modern society through good governance, financial economy, civil liberty and innovation. On the Corn Laws issue, Liverpoolâs reformers were reluctant to follow Manchesterâs lead, preferring to pursue free trade on a broad front. This study follows their
radical liverpool influence reform_movement early victorian_period investigates_development radical politics liverpool first_half nineteenth_century argues distinctive event trend liverpool exercise important influence activity reform_movement nationally address two_important largely_neglected area historiography first political_history liverpool year abolition slave_trade mass influx irish refugee mid_century time town rise commercial pre eminence secondly influence major provincial centre liverpool politics national_level origin liverpool reformist town council trace show continuity think personality backdrop tory paternalism institutionalise corruption new reformist administration see lay_foundation modern_society good governance financial economy civil liberty innovation corn_laws issue liverpool reformer reluctant follow manchester lead prefer pursue free_trade broad front study follow