Growth of Parliamentary democracy

Question 1

Radicals

Answer 1

• Wanted reform of political systems so citizens could vote
• Improvement for the working classes influenced by Utilitarian

Question 2

Tories

Answer 2

• Started around 1860
• Members of the aristocracy
• Generally opposed reform in Parliament
• More religiously intolerant

Question 3

Whigs

Answer 3

• Started around 1680
• Members of the aristocracy
• Restricting the power of the monarchy through the Bill of Rights
• Supported religious liberty

Question 4

When was the Bill of Rights?

Answer 4

1689

Question 5

What were counties?

Answer 5

• Rural shires in Britain which elected 2 MPs to Westminster
• Voters must have ownership of a freehold property worth more than 40 shillings

Question 6

What were boroughs?

Answer 6

• Urban towns that elected 2 MPs to Westminster
• Franchise qualification was very broad

Question 7

Who could vote in Corporation Boroughs?

Answer 7

Only members of the town council could vote

Question 8

Who could vote in Freemen Boroughs?

Answer 8

Anyone with the ‘Freemen’ status could vote

Question 9

Who could vote in Scot and Lot Boroughs?

Answer 9

Anyone who paid the poor rates could vote

Question 10

Who could vote in Burgage Boroughs?

Answer 10

An ancient form of rent applied to property bought in a borough and the owners of this property could vote

Question 11

Who could vote in Potwalloper Borough?

Answer 11

Households who had a hearth that was big enough to boil a pot could vote

Question 12

Who could vote in Freeholder Boroughs?

Answer 12

A similar franchise as the counties

Question 13

When was Tom Pain’s book ‘The Rights of Man’ banned? (Pitt’s measures)

Answer 13

1792

Question 14

When were the trials of radical reformers in Scotland? (Pitt’s measures)

Answer 14

1793

Question 15

When was the suspension of Habeas Corpus Amendment Act? (Pitt’s measures)

Answer 15

1794

Question 16

When and what was the Treasonable Practices Act? (Pitt’s measures)

Answer 16

1795, political meetings an act of treason

Question 17

When and what was the Seditious Meeting Act? (Pitt’s measures)

Answer 17

1795, restrict ability to hold political meetings

Question 18

When were new taxes and regulation of newspapers put in place? (Pitt’s measures)

Answer 18

1798

Question 19

When were bans on radical societies put in place? (Pitt’s measures)

Answer 19

1799

Question 20

When was Habeas Corpus suspended, more tax on newspapers, and spy networks set up? (Pitt’s measures)

Answer 20

1801

Question 21

What was the purpose of Pitt’s measures?

Answer 21

To contain the threat of revolution in Britain, impact of the French Revolution

Question 22

What were parliamentary elections like before reform?

Answer 22

• No secret ballot
• Very few voters, so bribery and intimidation was effective
• Controlled by local landowner or government

Question 23

What were pocket boroughs?

Answer 23

The election of political representatives was controlled by one person or family