The Radical War of 1820 - by David M Smale (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

This book is a detailed account of the Radical War in 1820s Scotland, highlighting the conditions that led to the revolt, the reaction of the government, and the impact on Scottish society.

David Smale takes readers through the post-1815 mass unemployment, disaffection, and formation of radical groups calling for parliamentary reform, as a prelude to the Radical War. Using a wealth of archival material, this book readjusts existing narratives surrounding the conflict, shifting the focus away from the accounts of paid spies, and centering the little used records of the pioneering 'new police' force.

Smale examines how police activities impacted the revolt, from the contrasting aims of pro-reformer and pro-government publications released during the time, to the activities of five 'spy groups' who entered the radical milieu and provided authorities with intelligence on their activities. Concluding with the key events of the revolt, including the Battle of Bonnymuir, and exploring the its after effects, such as the Lord Advocate's conflict with police - this volume provides comprehensive analysis of the Radical War, and places it within a pan-British context.

Review Quotes

Dr David Smale gives us important new insights into the dramatic and brutal events of 1820
in Scotland. There, as in England, an emerging working class had begun to organise and to demand its political rights. His book combines compelling narrative with careful and very thoughtful use of a wide range of sources and deserves to be widely read.
Ian Wood, Scottish Author and Historian, UK

This is a thoroughly absorbing book as David Smale takes us through the context, events and significance of the 'Radical War' of 1820. The tumultuous cast of real-life political reformers, spies and government-men also tells us a great deal about how we reached our modern state of democracy.
Gerard Carruthers, Francis Hutcheson Chair of Scottish Literature, University of Glasgow, UK

About the Author

David M. Smale is an independent researcher based in the UK. He has written extensively on the history of policing in Scotland, including an article on the Radical War published in History Scotland.