Radical War

The Radical War, also known as the Scottish Insurrection of 1820, was a series of strikes and protests that erupted in April of that year, primarily in the industrial areas of central Scotland, like Glasgow and Paisley. Rooted in economic hardship and the desire for political reform, industrial workers, influenced by radical ideals, demanded better working conditions and universal suffrage. The government swiftly suppressed the insurrection, arresting and executing or deporting several leaders of the movement. Although it failed to achieve its immediate objectives, the Radical War is a pivotal event in Scottish history, symbolizing the struggle for workers’ rights and political representation, and laying the groundwork for future labor movements and political reforms in the United Kingdom.