Some of them , particularly Arthur Thistlewood , had been involved with the Spa Fields riots in 1816 . Thistlewood came to dominate the group with George Edwards as his second in command . Edwards was a police spy . Most of the members were angered by the Six Acts and the Peterloo Massacre , as well as with the economic depression and political repression of the time . The conspirators planned to assassinate the cabinet which was supposed to be together at a dinner . They would then seize key buildings , overthrow the government and establish a " Committee of Public Safety " to oversee a radical revolution . According to the prosecution at their trial , they had intended to form a provisional government headquartered in the Mansion House
Peterloo Massacre
Peterloo Massacre
Cato Street Conspiracy