Despite such setbacks , popular pressure for reform remained strong . In 1819 , a large pro-reform rally was held in Birmingham . Although the city was not entitled to any seats in the Commons , those gathered decided to elect Sir Charles Wolseley as Birmingham 's " legislatorial representative " . Following their example , reformers in Manchester held a similar meeting to elect a " legislatorial attorney " . Between 20,000 and 60,000 ( by different estimates ) attended the event , many of them bearing signs such as " Equal Representation or Death " . The protesters were ordered to disband ; when they did not , the Manchester Yeomenry suppressed the meeting by force . Eleven people were killed and several hundred injured , the event later to become known as the Peterloo Massacre . In response , the government passed the Six Acts , measures designed to quell further political agitation . In particular , the Seditious Meetings Act prohibited groups of more than 50 people from assembling to discuss any political subject without prior permission from the sheriff or magistrate
Peterloo Massacre
Peterloo Massacre
Reform Act 1832