24: Condition of Britain by 1885

Question 1

Describe the political condition

Answer 1

More democratic
Success for working and middle classes
Majority of men could vote because of the 1884 Franchise Act
Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 ended under and over representation
Female householder could vote in local elections

Complex property qualifications
Young men that lived at home couldn’t vote
Unskilled workers couldn’t prove their qualification to vote

Question 2

Describe the economic condition

Answer 2

Flourished for most of the period
Depression/decline from the 70s to the 90s
New competition from foreign markets
Government commissioned an inquiry into the depression in 1885
Fell behind in the production of iron and steel
Still ahead in production of coal
Some landed people wanted protection but Disraeli didn’t listen as their influence had been reduced
Bad harvests and foreign competition led to a decline in agriculture

Question 3

Describe the social condition

Answer 3

Mass politics, unionism, education, production, consumption
Still class division