Local History: Why did the Peterloo Massacre happen?

During the Industrial Revolution in Britain, working people had very poor living and working conditions. Working people didn’t have the right to vote and therefore did not have a say in how to change these conditions. On 16 August 1819, 60,000 people gathered in St Peter’s Field in Manchester city centre to demand the vote. They marched into the city from many surrounding towns to congregate and listen to a speech by Henry Hunt. Fearing revolution, the authorities ordered the arrest of Henry Hunt and armed guards charged the crowd. It is estimated that 18 were killed and nearly 700 seriously injured. The event became known as the Peterloo Massacre.