1: The British Political System Flashcards
What does ‘patronage’ mean?
Patronage is the right to give privileges or make appointments. This gave the King considerable political advantage.
What were the 3 parts of a Constitutional Monarchy?
The monarch
The House of Lords
The House of Commons
Who was the monarch in 1783?
King George III
What Bill was introduced in 1689 to limit the power of the king?
The Bill of Rights
What powers did the king have?
He could choose and dismiss ministers
He could dissolve Parliament
he could veto legislation
What did Parliament control in reference to the King?
Parliament granted the monarch funds annually meaning he was financially dependent on them
Give some differences between the House of Lords and the House of Commons?
The Lords are unelected, hereditary peers but members of the House of Commons are elected
New peers could be created by the monarch
Who was King George III forced to accept as Prime Minister after the loss of the American Colonies?
He was forced to accept the resignation of Lord North and accept Lord Rockingham in his place
What was the electorate based on?
Ownership of property
True/Flase: William Pitt tried to redistribute seats to the expanding, unrepresented industrial towns.
True: He tried twice but they were both defeated in commons
How many people could vote in 173?
Around 250,000 men in England and Wales
How could you qualify to vote for a county MP?
You had to own land with a rateable value of 40 shillings a year
The ability to vote depended on different things in each borough, what were some of the things needed to qualify?
Ownership of a hearth (fireplace)
Be a freeman (given the freedom of the city and therefore political rights)
Paying tax
Stay at he place of voting the night before the election
Give one reason why voting was corrupt.
Not all seats were contested during elections
Landowners could nominate an MP who would be unopposed
Voting took place in public
What was the Whigs’ conception of political power?
Power should lie with the people/the people’s representatives
Monarchs shouldn’t interfere
Believed in toleration for dissenters
