How Successfully Did Lord Liverpool’s Government Deal with the Radical Challenge from 1812 – 1822?

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Many of Lord Liverpool’s government’s policies in response the countrywide radical threat that involved the lower and middle classes were successful in preventing a revolution. The use of spy networks to infiltrate serious radicals and the suspension of Habeas corpus helped decrease the radical threat. Additionally the introduction of the six acts also contributed to the prevention of revolution. Lord Liverpool’s network of spies was a crucial factor to the government’s success in dealing with the radical challenge. Through the government’s use of spies it effectively managed to infiltrate what they believed to be groups of serious radicals, therefore the government new exactly who the trouble makers were. The effective use of double agent George Edwards during the Cato street conspiracy in 1820 allowed the government to prevent a possible uprising against them. The fact it was a conspiracy to blow up the cabinet gave the government a chance to show how relevant the threat was . However it can be argued the use of spies and the way he dealt with them was an repressive measure. During the pentrich rebellion government spy Oliver persuaded local radicals to march on Nottingham where they were met with troops. This was a dangerous strategy in a time of great civil unrest and could easily create more anger towards the Government, as their actions may have been seen as entrapment. On the other hand the fact there was an attempt by radicals to blow up the cabinet, indicates a serious threat. Also the radical threat was now country wide involving lower and middle classes, thus a spy network was needed and Liverpool cleverly used it to find leaders of radical movements and successfully managed to integrate spies into radical movements. It can also be said the government’s idea to suspend Habeas corpus in 1817 also contributed to the government’s success in dealing with

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