The working classes had limited access to knowledge owing to poor literacy rates and the expensive cost of printed materials relative to wages . The Spa Fields Riots and Peterloo Massacre raised concerns about revolution and the violent unrest created resistance among the elite towards educating the lower classes . Other conservative commentators supported educating the working class as a means of control . The '' Edinburgh Review '' commented in 1813 on the hopes of ' a universal system of education ' that would ' encourage foresight and self-respect among the lower orders . ' Through education , the working class would know their economic position in life and this would prevent further outbreaks of political unrest . Liberal Whig supporters of educating the working classes , such as Henry Brougham , believed in ' the greatest happiness of the greatest number ' outlined by Bentham 's utilitarian philosophy . The sciences were seen by these supporters as valuable knowledge for the working classes and debates on the best means of diffusing knowledge was debated
Peterloo Massacre
Peterloo Massacre
March of Intellect