Radicalism as education

Education is a particularly obvious element in and source of support for radicalism, because radicals constantly stressed its importance and advocated and promoted it. A rationalist contempt for a past full of the frauds perpetrated by self-seeking oppressors, and a belief that reformation could be achieved through transforming the people, meant education was of prime importance. It would enlighten the people, open their eyes to the abuses, oppression, and injustice of the present system, enable them to know their rights, make them aware of their true worth and power, and thus lead them to reject those who used tyranny, superstition, and fanaticism to preserve their unjust rule. Science had a key role in this, so that ‘science and liberty are inseparable sisters. Tyrants have never been able to stifle one without the other.’ Once the people were enlightened, they would deem the present situation intolerable and, united in this conviction, their wish would be irresistible and the system would collapse. As a joiner in Aix sang in 1839:

If ignorance was thus the obstacle to overthrowing tyranny, radicals could see their main work as educational. In 1848 ‘the political clubs are the fertile source where will come to imbibe those who lack the enlightenment necessary to accomplish fully the great work that is in preparation’. In the most extreme view, such educational activity could be seen as the only activity necessary. For as that uncompromising enemy of all political associations and mass campaigns, Richard Carlile, said: ‘that is the great point to be ascertained.