The Scottish Insurrection of 1820
Created | Updated Nov 7, 2005
The actions of the 1820 Radical Martyrs in the West of Scotland, are an often forgotten, occasionally misrepresented and frequently misunderstood aspect of Scottish History. In the Autumn of 1820 three men, John Baird, from Condorrat, now near Cumbernauld, Andrew Hardie, of Glasgow, and James Wilson, of Strathaven were executed because of their dedication and commitment to Scottish working people's civil, social and human rights.
While not as famous as the Tolpuddle Martyrs who came afterwards, the 1820 Radicals' actions come down to us as examples of working class courage and conviction unprecedented in Scotland at that time.
Unlike the Jacobite Rebellion before it, the Radicals were not products of aristocratic power struggles but a direct working people's assertion of their industrial and human rights.
On April 2, 1820, Tory government agent provocateurs posted a fake proclamation throughout the west of Scotland calling for a general strike and armed insurrection.
This was an attempt to lure out the fermenting Radical Movement before it was ready. The general strike call was answered en masse throughout the west of Scotland.
Andrew Hardie, a weaver from Glasgow, and John Baird, an ex-soldier from Condorrat led a pitifully small contingent to take the armaments factory at the Carron Ironworks near Falkirk.
While fighting bravely against British Hussars and Yeomanry at the Battle of Bonnymuir, they were routed. In Strathaven, James Wilson, led his own contingent under the illusion - perpetrated by government agents - that a Radical Army lay outside Glasgow, waiting to attack.
Despite turning back without a blow struck in anger, he, like Baird and Hardie, was hung and beheaded. In all, 19 men were deported to Australia. Baird and Hardie were executed in Stirling, while Wilson died on Glasgow Green.
This working people's rebellion sought the vote, better working conditions and a Scottish Republic. This is why we celebrate them - not because of any nationalist angst, but because this rebellion took place not for a king but for the Scottish people themselves.
To this day, there is a Commemoration annually in Sighthill Cemetary, carried out by the 1820 Society, which is dedicated to promoting the actions of the Radical Martyrs of the 1820 Uprising.
If you would like more information about the 1820 Martyrs, visit: http://www.electricscotland.com/history/1820/
While not as famous as the Tolpuddle Martyrs who came afterwards, the 1820 Radicals' actions come down to us as examples of working class courage and conviction unprecedented in Scotland at that time.
Unlike the Jacobite Rebellion before it, the Radicals were not products of aristocratic power struggles but a direct working people's assertion of their industrial and human rights.
On April 2, 1820, Tory government agent provocateurs posted a fake proclamation throughout the west of Scotland calling for a general strike and armed insurrection.
This was an attempt to lure out the fermenting Radical Movement before it was ready. The general strike call was answered en masse throughout the west of Scotland.
Andrew Hardie, a weaver from Glasgow, and John Baird, an ex-soldier from Condorrat led a pitifully small contingent to take the armaments factory at the Carron Ironworks near Falkirk.
While fighting bravely against British Hussars and Yeomanry at the Battle of Bonnymuir, they were routed. In Strathaven, James Wilson, led his own contingent under the illusion - perpetrated by government agents - that a Radical Army lay outside Glasgow, waiting to attack.
Despite turning back without a blow struck in anger, he, like Baird and Hardie, was hung and beheaded. In all, 19 men were deported to Australia. Baird and Hardie were executed in Stirling, while Wilson died on Glasgow Green.
This working people's rebellion sought the vote, better working conditions and a Scottish Republic. This is why we celebrate them - not because of any nationalist angst, but because this rebellion took place not for a king but for the Scottish people themselves.
To this day, there is a Commemoration annually in Sighthill Cemetary, carried out by the 1820 Society, which is dedicated to promoting the actions of the Radical Martyrs of the 1820 Uprising.
If you would like more information about the 1820 Martyrs, visit: http://www.electricscotland.com/history/1820/
