Six Acts
Six Acts, 1819. Repressive measures to deal with the radical reform agitation which culminated in Peterloo. The Acts (a)prohibited most meetings of over 50 people; (b)gave magistrates powers to search private houses for arms; (c)prohibited drilling and military training by civilians; (d)strengthened the laws against blasphemous and seditious libel; (e)limited the right of an accused to adjournment of trial to prepare his defence; (f )increased the stamp duty on newspapers and cheap pamphlets to 4 pence, thus hitting the radical press. However, the decline of popular radicalism after 1820 was as much due to improved economic conditions as to the Acts.
John F. C. Harrison
More From encyclopedia.com
You Might Also Like
NEARBY TERMS
Six Acts