Why should we remember Peterloo?

Local History: Peterloo Massacre (Samuel Bamford)

Year 6

Unit Overview

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. 

MEMORABLE MOMENT and 🌳 LEARNING OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

Local history walk to explore the life of Samuel Bamford:

Samuel Bamford guided walk around the local area. Children will learn about Bamford's life and visit key areas relating to his life.

️✏️ WRITING OPPORTUNITIES

Monologues and Duologues based around the role play in sessions 2, 3 and 4. 

Unit Sequence: Learning Intentions

🏁 BIG FINISH

Children will present a reenactment of the events at St Peter's field to their classmates helping to answer the overarching question: Why should we remember Peterloo?


📖 FOCUS TEXT(S) 

Peterloo: The Graphic Novel