To the People - Document from the Enoch Wood Scrapbook

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Date:10th of October 1831

Description:Reform

Printed notice advocating the use of non-violent means to achieve reform of the political system.

Britains political system was dominated and maintained by aristocratic landowners. The growing industrial cities lacked representation in Parliament.

Reformers had tried for years to get a fairer system of representation passed but the legislation was always at the mercy of those already in power.

Growing frustration lead to outbreaks of violence in places like Nottingham, Derby, Bristol and London.

Some feared that this kind of action jeopardised the cause for reform and played into the hands of the 'boroughmongers'.

The Reform Act 1832

A bill for reform did get passed the year after this notice was printed.

About this Document

This document was printed by Simpson in Rugely. It was collected by local industrialist Enoch Wood and is now part of the collections at Stoke-on-Trent Museums.

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