Britain Issue 1 Flashcards
Five reasons for the growth of democracy 1851-1828
Industrialisation and urbanisation, WW1, changing political attitudes and examples from other countries, party competition and political advantage, pressure groups and popular attempts to win the franchise
Introduction
Isolate factor is changing political attitudes and examples from abroad
In 1850 Britain could not have been called a democracy. Voting was based on income qualifications, women were excluded from voting, and indeed corruption was rifle. However, historians argue that reforms were made through the 19th and early 20th centuries to increase the electorate and improve democracy. Some historians argue that changing political attitude and examples from other countries were significant in contributing to Britain becoming more democratic, while others argue that it was industrialisation and urbanisation, as well as party competition that were most significant. This essay will argue that industrialisation and urbanisation was the most important reason for the democratisation of Britain up to 1928.
Changing political attitudes and examples from other countries
- Britain considered herself the cradle of modern democracy and could not see herself falling behind other countries, for example, New Zealand extended the franchise in the mid-19th century
> the desire to be the most democratic country motivated politicians to pass reforms to catch up and make Britain more democratic; 1884 Reform Act removed distinction between boroughs and counties and enfranchised 2/3 men - women were accepted into local government and school board elections, proving that there was a challenging attitude towards the status of women
> it was felt that women being accepted into decision making roles at a local level would need to be reflected at a national level soon enough, making it seem that the government was expected to entente the franchise to women; 1918 Act was passed
A*: reforms were not heavily influenced by overseas examples but rather to promote one’s own political interests - 1928 Act gave women the vote on the same ground as men in hope of them voting Conservative
E: yes, attitudes towards women were starting to change - they were beginning to be accepted into school board elections as a result of the emerging socialist movement. But historians McGonigle and Kerr argue that political reforms passed in 1880s were mainly to promote their wom interests and protect them in times of change
Industrialisation and urbanisation
- 1871-1911: population increased from 31.8 million to 45.3 million; 80% of the population lived in urban areas
> people could discuss the terrible living conditions and political ideas began to take root amongst the workers who sought the vote as means to improve their lives - compulsory education was introduced in 1870s, meant that people of future would be better educated than previous generation; 1880s onwards newspapers became more widely circulated
> working class people became more politically aware in late 19th century which helped them clamour for reform
A*: they didn’t quite get a better say in how their country was to be governed in late 19th century, as legislation such as Representation of the Peoples Acts were passed in the early 20th century, decades after socio-economic changes had impacted Britain’s political landscape
E: against this backdrop trade unions and pressure groups emerged to represent the under represented. Needs of the working class in order to put pressure on the government to pass reformative legislations, eg the Clarion which called the government to recognise the working class as a more educated and respectable group rather than a previously believed mob
Party competition and political advantage
- Gladstone’s liberals believed that by passing reforms they could gain political advantage at the expense of the Conservatives - 1883 Currupt and illegal Practices Act
> a limit wad put on the amount a party could spend on elections which reduced the advantages of the wealthy conservatives and so made Britain more democratic - Conservatives favoured democratic reform because of the popular belief that it would favour them politically - Stanley Baldwin passed 1928 Act
>hoped women would vote conservative
A*: yes, the 1928 act enfranchised women however the suffragettes had recognised the lack of vote possessed by women and problem and campaigned for it; they used militant tactics to keep issue in the headlines and pressures the government to enfranchise women
E: party politicians did pass reforms to make the county more democratic, but it is more convincing that they did this to protect their interests in times of change, and acknowledged that to withhold the vote from women would be dangerous as there was growing discontent around this issue
Conclusion
Changing political attitudes did make Britain more democratic - women were enfranchised by the 1928 Act. Furthermore party competition between the Whigs and Tories led to a number of legislations being passed such as the Corrupt and Illegal Practives Act which made the British voting system more fair. However, it is clear that this would not have been achieved without the industrialisation that took place in Britain. It brought the underrepresented asses together which created the necessary breeding ground for the growth and development of many pressure grounds such as the Labour Movement which campaigned for MP salaries and represemted the working classes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, therefore arguably industrialisation and urbanisation was the was the most significant factor which made Britain more democratic.
Impact of Great War
- 5 million men went to war, nearly 3/4 killed
> after war it was inconclusive to think that men were expected to fight for king and country and be denied right to vote, so government enfranchised all men over 21 with a 6 month residency in 1918 Act - women proved vital to war effort as they undertook many occupations previously reserved for men in many fields, ranging from artillery manufacture to healthcare
> in recognition of their effort, they were granted the right to vote which was given to all over 30
A*: cannot be considered the main reason as reforms were well underway decades to the war; its merely a catalyst, despite influencing the 1918 and ‘28 acts
E: although it is important to the democratisation of Britain, as it had influenced the introduction of universal suffrage, as argued by Martin Pugh, the Great War was merely a catalyst which sped up the passing of legislations which made Britain more democratic.
Pressure groups
- national reform league campaigned for the secret ballot, universal manhood suffrage and a general election to be held once every 3 years. Popularity displayed by a membership of 65 00p by 1867
> demonstrations such as riot at Hyde Park 1866 (100 000 protesters) made the government enfranchise the working classes as it was believed that to withhold the vote would be dangerous - Labour Movement campaigned for enfranchisement of working classes and salaries for MPs; 1901 Keri Hardie won seat in Parliament
> Party could put pressure on government form within to pass social welfare reforms which would that impacted working classes - influenced the 1911 parliament Act
A*: the effectiveness of the Womens’ suffrage movement was less effective in the growth of democracy in relation to its counterparts who campaigned for universal manhood suffrage in the 19th century, as argued by historians such as Martin Pugh
E: indeed, pressure groups draw the government’s attention to the lack of representation of the urban masses in the 19th century, however, without the support of the people drawn to the evolving industrial cities, these groups wouldn’t have achieved such prominence, so pressure groups were not as important of a factor as urbanisation and industrialisation.
