Britain Flashcards
How did the Tories defend Britain’s pre-existing political system?
- domino effect - small - large reform
- organic system - reforms interfere
- MP’s DO represent whole country anyway
- aristocracy = naturally best rulers
- alter balance of monarchy if House of C changed
Why was reform an issue by 1830? TWIGMEN
Trade Union Activity
Working class ":("
International context
Government instability
Middle class pressure
Economic situation
New Political organisationsTrade Union Activity pre 1830
• well organised
• politicians feared
• repeal of Combinations Act 1824 -> Trade Unions legal in Britain
- rapid growth of strikes & union activity
Working class discontent pre 1830
- created by Industrial Revolution
- recession of 1820-30 => scared
- saw having vote as answer to political/social problems
- large numbers in radical groups met at mass meetings
- riots
International context by 1830
• July 1830 = another revolution in France
- triggered uprisings in Belgium & A-H empire
- was Britain next? Politicians feared so
Government instability pre 1830
• Lord Liverpool = stable PM for 15 years
- resigned -> Tory gov imploded
• Duke Of Wellington not good politician
• Party split 1830
Middle class pressure pre 1830
• Industrial Revolution => ‘Middle Class’ in Britain
• excluded from political power - not aristocrats
• wanted free trade
- Tory Gov supported protectionism - gave Britain bad name in business world
- financial impact on MC
Economic situation pre 1830
• 1829-30: bad harvests -> Trade depression
• attacking land owners
• rural anger spreads to towns
- scared politicians
- feeling of insecurity in Land Owning class
New political organisations pre 1830
- +100,000 regular attendees
- mixed membership - alliance scared politicians
- BPU - Birmingham Political Union
What did the Tory government split to in 1830?
Ultra Tories - NO REFORM
Canningites - moderate reform = necessary
- should give vote to middle class and Roman CatholicsExisting problems with the Political System
Political power = elite Working class = excluded from power Voting qualifications = confusing Middle class (growing more influential) = unrepresented Unrepresentative constituencies (Ind.Rev)
The 1830 General Election
• won by Tories
- not majority -> can’t pass legislation as Tory split
• Duke of Wellington leads
• November 30th - William IV asks Earl Grey to form and administration
What did the Whigs believe?
- Shouldn’t protect worst bits of pre-existing system
- no reform => Middle/Working Class allegiance = powerful
- help party -> reduce Tory boroughs
The First Reform Bill
March 1830
• introduced in the House of Commons by Lord John Russell
• passed by a single vote (302/301)
• Bill changed so much during committee stage -> Grey asked for dissolution of Parliament -> General election called
• hoping that public support for bill would mean Commons would pass unchanged
Why had the political system in Britain lasted?
- ruling elite = defensive of status quo, so resist change
* no revolutionary, United, protesting movement -> lack pressure on elite
