PETERLOO Meaning and
Definition
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Peterloo refers to the violent incident that occurred on August 16, 1819, in St. Peter's Field, Manchester, England. The term originated from the combination of the name of the location, St. Peter's Field, and the Battle of Waterloo, which took place four years earlier. Peterloo is considered a significant event in British history due to its impact on the political landscape and the fight for democratic reforms.
The Peterloo Massacre unfolded when a large crowd of approximately 60,000 to 80,000 people gathered to advocate for political reform and suffrage expansion. They were primarily workers from Manchester and surrounding regions, seeking greater representation and improved living conditions. The peaceful demonstration turned chaotic when local authorities, alarmed by the growing numbers and radical ideology of the protesters, ordered a military intervention.
The Manchester and Salford Yeomanry, a local militia, and later the 15th Hussars cavalry regiment charged into the crowd on horseback, wielding sabers, and swiftly dispersing the protesters. The violent clash resulted in the deaths of around 18 individuals, including women and children, and the injury of several hundred others. The incident sparked outrage across the country and intensified the struggle for political and social reform.
Due to the harrowing event and its aftermath, the term "Peterloo" has come to symbolize both the brutality inflicted upon peaceful protesters and the ongoing fight for democratic principles, social justice, and the right to peaceful assembly. The massacre played a significant role in the subsequent establishment of the Chartist movement, which aimed to secure political rights for workers and a more equitable society.
Common Misspellings for PETERLOO
- PETERlO
- oeterloo
- leterloo
- -eterloo
- 0eterloo
- pwterloo
- psterloo
- pdterloo
- prterloo
- p4terloo
- p3terloo
- pererloo
- peferloo
- pegerloo
- peyerloo
- pe6erloo
- pe5erloo
- petwrloo
- petsrloo
- petdrloo
Etymology of PETERLOO
The word "Peterloo" is derived from the combination of two words – "Peter" and "loo". The origin of the word is attributed to the Peterloo Massacre, a historical event that took place on August 16, 1819, in Manchester, England.
The term "Peterloo" was coined as a mocking comparison to the Battle of Waterloo, which had taken place four years earlier (1815) and was a decisive victory for the British against Napoleon Bonaparte. The ironic use of "loo" in "Peterloo" is a reference to the Battle of Waterloo's connection to the Duke of Wellington, as "loo" was a popular British slang term for a toilet or privy at the time.
The Peterloo Massacre itself occurred when a peaceful gathering of around 60,000-80,000 people, predominantly working-class, had gathered in Manchester's St.
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