I don't support hooliganism of any kind, which includes the recent riots, but there is a long long history of the UK government and ruling class coming down very hard on the lower classes getting angry.
This got particularly sensitive in England after the French Revolution when the lower classes rose up and executed the ruling class in large numbers - not that surprising that the boss class here got very tetchy about lower class unrest.
Rioters were very commonly attacked by mounted cavalry with sabres or fired on by soldiers so they got the idea that they'd better not challenge the status quo. Often the rioters were killed in dozens and sentenced to very severe punishments including death.
The attitude to civil unrest has been VERY different in France where the idea that the common people had better be taken notice of has never gone away since the Revolution. The Brits look on in amazement as they see scenes of French farmers burning trucks carrying agricultural produce from other countries while police stand by looking on at a distance. I remember one time when French wine growers had captured an Italian wine tanker and they opened the tap on the back and drained the lot onto the road while the police stood by and watched.
It would not happen here.
AI summary:
This got particularly sensitive in England after the French Revolution when the lower classes rose up and executed the ruling class in large numbers - not that surprising that the boss class here got very tetchy about lower class unrest.
Rioters were very commonly attacked by mounted cavalry with sabres or fired on by soldiers so they got the idea that they'd better not challenge the status quo. Often the rioters were killed in dozens and sentenced to very severe punishments including death.
The attitude to civil unrest has been VERY different in France where the idea that the common people had better be taken notice of has never gone away since the Revolution. The Brits look on in amazement as they see scenes of French farmers burning trucks carrying agricultural produce from other countries while police stand by looking on at a distance. I remember one time when French wine growers had captured an Italian wine tanker and they opened the tap on the back and drained the lot onto the road while the police stood by and watched.
It would not happen here.
AI summary:
- The Gordon Riots of 1780
A series of riots in London that were motivated by anti-Catholic sentiment. The riots began with a protest against the Papists Act 1778, which was intended to reduce discrimination against British Catholics. The riots resulted in an estimated 300–700 deaths.
- The Swing Riots of 1830
A series of riots in rural England that were caused by a decline in agricultural produce and wages, the introduction of threshing machines, and an influx of Irish labour. The government's response to the riots was harsh, with 19 people executed, 505 transported to Australia, and 644 imprisoned.
- The Poll Tax Riots of 1381 and 1990
In 1381, a rebellion broke out in Essex against the poll tax, which affected everyone equally, regardless of wealth. In 1990, Margaret Thatcher's government attempted to introduce a new poll tax, and a rally of 200,000 people turned into a riot.
- The Rebecca Riots
A series of protests made by tenant farmers against the payment of tolls to use the roads. During the riots, men disguised as women attacked the tollgates.
