1832 Great Reform Act

Question 1

Give 3 effects of the 1832 Great Reform Act

Answer 1

• 56 rotten/ pocket borough disenfranchised (145 seats abolished)
• 22 New boroughs created with 2 MP’s (14 in London, 8 in industrial cities)
• 64 new county seats were created so more populous counties gained more seats

Question 2

What was the qualifications needed to vote?

Answer 2

• Boroughs adult males owning/occupying rates over £10 (resident for more than 1 year and pay poor rates)
• Counties, adult males owning property worth £2 pa or renting land worth £50pa

Question 3

How many adult males could vote?

Answer 3

1 in 5 (800,000)

Question 4

What is evidence of pressure from below for the creation of the Act?

Answer 4

• BPU
• Bristol riots 1831 rejection of second reform bill
• Swing movement 1830 (rural discontent to poverty + industrialisation)

Question 5

Evidence of pressure from above to pass the Act

Answer 5

• Collapse of Tories
• Whigs political expediency (had been in opposition since 1807)

Question 6

What was still happening in elections which the GRA 1832 did not address?

Answer 6

• Corruption and bribery
• No secret ballot
• Still property qualification