7. power- parliament and the people 1800-1918 Flashcards
What was the political system like in 1800?
The political system was not very representative in 1800.
How did the number of voters vary in constituencies?
The numbers of voters in constituencies varied; in some larger towns or cities, a great number of voters would only return one MP.
What were ‘rotten boroughs’?
Some constituencies were known as ‘rotten boroughs’ - these were constituencies that could have had as few as one or two voters.
Which universities returned MPs, and why was this considered outdated?
Oxford and Cambridge universities returned two MPs each - this was an outdated law.
What was the issue with voting in 1800?
There was no secret ballot, meaning people had to vote in public, which encouraged corruption.
How did candidates attempt to secure votes?
Some candidates would offer to pay bribes in return for votes; others would host parties the night before an election to win support.
What global events led to scrutiny of the British political system?
Two revolutions in the wider world led to further scrutiny: the 1776 American Declaration of Independence and the 1789 French Revolution.
What was the impact of Thomas Paine’s book ‘The Rights of Man’?
Thomas Paine’s book argued that the British political system was corrupt - 200,000 copies sold before it was banned.
What significant political change occurred due to the Great Reform Act?
The Great Reform Act brought some political changes.
What did the Great Reform Act of 1832 accomplish?
The Great Reform Act brought some political change, including the loss of one MP for 31 small boroughs and the creation of 22 new two-member boroughs.
Examples of new boroughs include Manchester, Leeds, and Birmingham.
How did the Great Reform Act affect the right to vote?
The franchise was extended, allowing one in seven English males to vote after the Act.
What changes were made to the distribution of seats in Parliament after the Great Reform Act?
The same number of seats (658) was retained, but 56 boroughs with less than 2000 voters were disenfranchised.
What was the reaction of working-class activists to the Great Reform Act?
Some felt betrayed as the Act did not bring wholesale political change and corruption still existed.
What was the outcome of the Second Reform Act?
The Second Reform Act doubled the electorate to 40 percent of the male population with a uniform property qualification of £10.
Who could vote after the Second Reform Act?
All male urban householders and lodgers paying £10 rent a year could vote.
What was the significance of the Third Reform Act?
The Third Reform Act added 2.6 million voters, increasing the electorate from 3.1 million to 5.7 million.
What were the six demands of the Chartist movement?
The demands included universal suffrage, payment for MPs, no property qualification to become an MP, annual Parliaments, secret ballot, and equal representation.
When was the Secret Ballot Act made law?
The Secret Ballot Act was made law in 1872.
What did trade unions and the Labour Party want?
Further political reform.
What percentage of men and women did not have the right to vote after the Third Reform Act?
40 per cent of men and 100 per cent of women.
What challenges did unions face regarding strike action?
Unions could be ordered to pay companies compensation for money lost during strike action.
When did New Unions emerge?
In the 1870s and 1880s.
What was the purpose of New Unions?
To protect workers’ rights.
When was the Trades Union Congress (TUC) formed?
In 1868.
What was the affiliation of trade unions by the 1890s?
Almost all trade unions were affiliated to the TUC.
What political party did the TUC support?
The Labour Party, formed in 1900.
What was the Labour Party an amalgamation of?
Smaller working-class activist groups.
How many Members of Parliament did the Labour Party have by 1910?
42 Members of Parliament.
What impact did the rise of the Labour Party have on other political parties?
It put pressure on the Liberals and Conservatives to pass welfare reforms.
How did women achieve the vote?
Through campaigning and war work.
What were the two main groups that campaigned for women’s right to vote?
The two main groups were the NUWSS (Suffragists) and the WSPU (Suffragettes).
When was the NUWSS (Suffragists) formed?
The NUWSS (Suffragists) was formed in 1897.
Who led the NUWSS (Suffragists)?
The NUWSS (Suffragists) was led by Millicent Fawcett.
What methods did the NUWSS (Suffragists) use to protest?
The NUWSS used peaceful methods to protest.
What was the membership size of the NUWSS (Suffragists)?
The NUWSS had 50,000 fee-paying members and many volunteers.
What was the goal of the NUWSS (Suffragists)?
They tried to put pressure on Parliament but did not gain any concessions.
When was the WSPU (Suffragettes) formed?
The WSPU (Suffragettes) was formed in 1903.
Who led the WSPU (Suffragettes)?
The WSPU (Suffragettes) was led by Emmeline Pankhurst.
What methods did the WSPU (Suffragettes) use?
The WSPU used more violent methods, such as protests, hunger strikes, and sometimes damaging public property or attacking politicians.
What was the peak membership of the WSPU (Suffragettes)?
The WSPU had 2000 members at its peak.
What impact did the actions of the WSPU (Suffragettes) have?
Their actions raised the profile of female suffrage.
What significant act was passed in February 1918?
The Representation of the People Act was passed, giving the vote to some women and all men over the age of 21.
What contributions did women make during the war effort?
Women contributed by working in munitions factories and as part of the Land Army, which involved jobs like farming.
What was a reason some people opposed women’s suffrage?
Some people were opposed due to the violent actions of the Suffragettes.
Did any of the Reform Acts enfranchise women?
None of the Reform Acts enfranchised (gave the vote to) women.
