1831 Reform Bill Flashcards
How did the middle class effect the implementation of the support bill?
. They were now in control of the majority of economic power in Britain e.g. Factory’s, traders and bankers.
. If not appeased and given the vote they could in effect shut down/ negatively effect the economy.
. The middle classes now needed more political power.
How did Whig desire for reform effect the 1831 reform bill?
. Wanted to introduce the bill so that the Whigs would gain favour from the middle and working classes and win the next election.
How did economic changes effect the implementation of the 1831 reform bill?
. The start of the industrial revolution led to the creation of a new, powerful middle class who in effect controlled the economy. . If not given the vote they could negatively effect the economy.
How did obvious scandals and corruption effect the implementation of the 1831 reform bill?
. There were many cases of corruption during this time, the reform bill was designed to help tackle this problem.
. The prescience of Rotten Boroughs led many liberal torys to support the passing of the bill.
How did popular unrest effect the implementation of the reform bill?
. Riots in Nottingham and Bristol were a result of the governments refusal to implement a reform bill which would allow the working class to vote. . The reform bill was a means of appeasing these groups and stopping the riots/ swing riots.
How did the fear of revolution effect the implementation of the reform bill?
. The riots of Bristol and Nottingham were considered revolutionary by many, so to prevent a possible revolution, many in government were in favour of passing the reform bill as a means of appeasing the population.
What were the successes of the reform bill?
. The electorate ( amount of people who could vote ) rose from 516,000 in 1831 to 813,000 by 1833. By 1866 economic growth and population increase had increased this to 1.3million.
. 143 seats were redistributed
. Thirty boroughs with under 4000 people lost the right to return one of their two MPs
. 56 boroughs which returned 111MPs were disenfranchised - dealt with pocket and rotten boroughs
What were the failures of the Great Reform bill?
. Voting was still conducted in public meaning landowners could still heavily influence who people on their land voted for.
. The majority of the population still did not have the right to vote
. MPs still remained unpaid and would not receive payment until 1909 meaning it was near impossible for working men to become MPs as the money/ property requirement to become and MP was still in place.
