ABSTRACT

Questions of national identity and patriotism at the forefront of historical discussion about Britain’s eighteenth century. The label ‘radical’ requires some justification. Rather than just meaning an extreme position, in British politics it refers to a particular political tradition and worldview. The radical movement developed in the last third of the eighteenth century, and was committed to the achievement of political, social and legal justice for the common people. Radicals at the time identified themselves as such but, strictly speaking, ‘radicalism’ is an anachronistic term. Besides the government’s repressive measures, there were numerous public initiatives to oppose the Revolution and its radical supporters. Groups were formed such as ‘Church and King’ societies and the Association for Promoting Liberty and Property against Republicans and Levellers. The outbreak of war between Britain and France in February 1793 made the loyalist response to the French Revolution more urgent.