THE ROMANTIC AGE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The Age of Revolutions

During the Augustan Age British society attained a high level of political and social stability
which, however, did not last for long.
Overseas, the American Declaration of Independence from British Rule of 1776 marked the
loss of the American colonies as a consequence of the American War of Independence
(1775-1783). The Industrial Revolution completely transformed Britains social structure,
while the French Revolution brought new ideas and beliefs. Britains conservative rulers
feared the revolutionary spirit and were well determined to prevent these forces from
spreading to British society.
This is why this period is known as The Age of Revolutions. It had a deep impact on all
aspects of British culture and literature.
The French Revolution
The French Revolution started an age of political and social change which spread throughout
Europe and which transformed the political culture of most of Europe.
In Britain the Revolution, at least in its early phases, found many supporters in intellectual
circles, who shared its democratic ideals and were both fascinated and fearful of its
uncontrollable forces. Among these intellectuals were the Romantic poets of the first
generation, like Blake, Wordsworth and Coleridge. Later, however, many of them got
disappointed and disillusioned by the bloody outcome of the French Revolution and embraced
more conservative ideals.
After the initial symbolical gesture of eliminating the aristocracy, the revolution developed into
a bloody power struggle between different groups. In particular, when the radical Jacobins
seized power from the moderate Girondins in 1793, they used extreme measures to realise
their revolutionary aims. Led by Maximilien Robespierre, they mobilised a huge army and
radicalised the French constitution, introducing the idea of liberty, equality and fraternity for
all. It was the first genuinely democratic constitution to be proclaimed by a modern state.
However, at the same time their idea of justice meant the execution of large numbers of
opponents ; moreover, the masses had little chance to exercise their freedom: they were
needed as soldiers to fight against Frances numerous enemies.
Eventually, divided by internal conflicts, the post-revolutionary government began to weaken.
General Napoleon Bonaparte took advantage of the situation, he seized the power and
proclaimed himself Emperor of France in 1804. Napoleon led the French army in an
unprecedented conquest of Europe, but was defeated by Britain at Trafalgar in 1805, under the
command of Admiral Nelson and again, after many victories, in the Battle of Waterloo by the
Duke of Wellington.
Radicalism in Britain
Although influenced by the French Revolution, radicalism in Britain never extended to mass
violent insurrection. Instead it was restricted to protest movements and demands for electoral
reform. Yet the Tory government led by the Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger, fearing
mass revolt, felt it necessary to crush all opposition, which they did by limiting freedom of
speech and association. Public demonstrations were violently broken up by the army.
As the Industrial Revolution continued, workers were increasingly worried about the fact that
the introduction of new machines was leading to heavy unemployment. This led to the Luddite
Riots (1811-12) which took their name from Ned Ludd, a hero for the workers who had
smashed a power loom in protest. The Luddites started to destroy machines in Nottingham and
the movement spread throughout England. However, it was soon suppressed and the
destruction of machines became punishable by death. In another incident, the so-called
Peterloo Massacre (1819) a number of demonstrators were killed when the army attacked a
gathering of 60,000 people who had met to discuss electoral reform in Manchester. The radical
cause in Britain was eventually defeated by a combination of disillusionment with the French
Revolution, improved economic conditions and government suppression of protest.

From the Regency to William IV

The period between 1811 and 1820 is also known as the Regency. Towards the end of his
long reign, George III (1760-1820) suffered from mental problems and the power was given
to his son who became Prince Regent from 1811 to 1820. The Prince Regent became George
IV at the death of his father in 1820, and reigned until 1830 when he was succeeded by
William IV (1830-1837). In 1832, the first Reform Bill was passed. It extended the right to
vote to middle-class men, who acquired more political power as a consequence.