1832 Reform Act Flashcards
When did the French Revolution occur?
1789
When did the Napoleonic Wars start and finish?
1793-1815
What law was enacted in 1815 that raised the cost of bread?
The Corn Laws
Who wrote Reflections of the Revolution in France?
Edmund Burke
What did Thomas Paine write in response to Reflections of the Revolution in France in 1793?
The Rights of Man
When was Britain defeated by the Americans in the American War of Independence?
1783
What is a parliamentary system of government?
People elect representatives to parliament
Define democracy.
A system where people are free to make political choices
Where did the concept of democracy originate?
Ancient Greece
What massacre occurred on 16th August 1819?
Peterloo
During which time period was the era of ‘liberal toryism’?
1822-1823
Who led the tories during the era of ‘liberal toryism?
Lord Liverpool
What benefits are derived from an uncodified constitution?
Flexibilty, not rigid, able to change
What 2 types of constituency were there in Britain in 1785?
County and Borough
How many MPs did a county (irrespective of size) elect to parliament?
2
How many MPs did a borough (irrespective of size) elect to parliament?
2
Who was qualified to vote in a county?
40 shilling freeholders
What is patronage?
The right to give privileges/make appointments
How many men could vote in 1785?
About 250,000
How many different types of franchise qualification were there in the boroughs? Name all 6.
6 – Corporation, Freemen, Scot and Lot, Burgage, Potwalloper, Freeholder
Who could vote in a potwalloper borough?
Those with a hearth big enough to boil a pot on
Who could vote in a Scot and Lot borough?
Anyone who paid poor rates
How was voting conducted before the Secret Ballot Act of 1872?
By standing on a stage and declaring publically who your would vote for
What is a pocket borough?
An easily manipulated constituency area controlled by the landowner by bribery or coercian
Who could vote in a Corporation borough
Members of town councils
What percentage of the population could vote before 1832?
11%
What were Old Sarum and Dunwich otherwise known as?
Rotten boroughs
Why did the people of Birmingham feel under-represented before 1832?
Population of 144,000 but no MPs
Despite Manchester having a population of 182,000 it did not have any MPS before 1832. TRUE/FALSE
TRUE
Give the names of 2 new industrial cities that did not have adequate electoral representation .
Leeds ,Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham
When did the collapse of the Tory party become relevant in the passage of the 1832 reform Act?
1827 onwards
What allowed factions in the Tory party to surface?
Resignation and subsequent death of Lord Liverpool in 1827 who had guided the Tories since the achieved power in 1812
What did the Tories do in the 1820 and 1826 elections and why?
Increased their majorities due to a thriving economy and weak opposition
What was Wellington unable to do in 1829 and what was the impact?
. Stop the Catholic Emancipation Act
. Split the party into ultras and liberals
What did the death of George IV mean for the Tories?
. Precipitated a general election
. Allowed the Whigs to seize power for the time in 18 years
