Here’s what happened in Scotland after the Peterloo Massacre – Kenny MacAskill
The radicalism inspired by the French Revolution at the end of the 18th century had been crushed from without by its usurpation by Bonapartism and from within by brutal repression.
The end of the Napoleonic wars brought recession and former soldiers returning to Scotland faced unemployment and poverty.
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Hide AdDemands for the franchise and political change returned and a rally in Glasgow in 1816 attracted 40,000. Pressure increased on both sides of the border and by 1819 tension was high.
When news of the atrocity reached Scotland there was great anger. Demonstrations took place in Edinburgh, Dundee and elsewhere.
The largest disturbance was in Paisley where a meeting was called for early September. Postponed for a week, having initially been banned by the authorities, it was held on Meikleriggs Muir allowing for attendance from Ayrshire and Glasgow, as well as Renfrewshire.
The platform party dressed in funereal black and banners were likewise solemnly adorned.
When the meeting of some 16,000 concluded a riot broke out as delegates clashed with constabulary. Five days of rioting followed and the military were put in. Crowds of 2,000 and 3,000 fought with cavalry in the towns narrow streets before order was finally restored.
The following year saw the 1820 Rising in Scotland which was partly driven by those events.