Robert Poole

Robert Poole, a historian and author, discusses the pivotal 1819 Peterloo Massacre, a crucial moment in 19th-century radicalism. He highlights the rampant inequality and unrest in Britain post-Napoleonic Wars that fueled the Manchester demonstration. Poole delves into how authorities prepared to suppress the rally, leading to the violent cavalry charge. He also addresses the aftermath, the shock across the nation, and the long-term impacts on reform movements, emphasizing Peterloo's legacy as a pro-democracy event that shaped political discourse.