Royal Proclamation Against Seditious Writings and Publications facts for kids

The Royal Proclamation Against Seditious Writings and Publications was a special announcement made by King George III on May 21, 1792. This announcement was a response to new ideas and writings that were becoming popular in Britain. These ideas were often called "radicalism" and were inspired by the big changes happening during the French Revolution.

One very popular book that worried the government was Rights of Man by Thomas Paine. This book shared ideas about people's rights and how governments should work.

Why the Proclamation Was Issued

Rising New Ideas in Britain

During this time, many people in Britain were talking about new ways to govern. They wanted to see changes in how Parliament worked. This was partly because of the exciting events of the French Revolution in France. People were discussing ideas about freedom and equality.

The Influence of Thomas Paine's Book

A book called Rights of Man became very famous. It was written by Thomas Paine. This book talked about people's rights and challenged the old ways of thinking about government. It made many people in Britain think about making changes in their own country. The government, led by Prime Minister William Pitt, became worried about these new ideas spreading too quickly.

Efforts for Parliamentary Change

In April 1792, a group of politicians called the Society of the Friends of the People was formed. These politicians, who were part of the Whig party, wanted to change how Parliament was set up. They believed it needed to be fairer. Their actions and the growing support for new ideas made Prime Minister Pitt concerned about stability in the country.

What the Proclamation Did

The Proclamation was a formal statement from the King. It warned people against writing or publishing things that could cause trouble or encourage rebellion. It was meant to calm things down and stop the spread of ideas that the government saw as dangerous.

How the Proclamation Was Created

Before the Proclamation was officially announced, Prime Minister Pitt showed a draft of it to other important leaders. These included people like the Duke of Portland and Charles James Fox. They discussed it and made some suggestions. This showed that even though it was a strong statement, the government tried to get some agreement from other political groups.

Impact on Radical Writings

The Proclamation was put into action by local officials called magistrates. They worked to limit the spread of books and writings that were considered "radical." Historian John Ehrman noted that the Proclamation was a big deal, especially because it was largely a response to just one book: Thomas Paine's Rights of Man.

Thomas Paine's Response

Thomas Paine himself responded to the Proclamation. He wrote another piece called Letter Addressed to the Addressers on the Late Proclamation. In this new writing, he continued to share his views and challenge the government's actions.