Britain - Summaries

Question 1

What were the arguments for political reform before 1832?

Answer 1

-Not adapted to the economic and social changes after the industrial revolution
(boroughs dependent on ancient decisions that didn’t apply to the electorate expansion/growing industry)

-Unrepresentative system 
(not representing in particular the middle class who were becoming more influential in society)

-Rotten and Pocket boroughs
(Manchester had no MPs despite being a key industrial city. Powerful landowners dictated elections)

Question 2

What were the arguments against political reform before 1832?

Answer 2

-Belief the system worked and there was no need for change
(It had been effective for so long)

-View that no other class could rule
(belief that land=power. Aristocracy had land and experience in politics and it would be dangerous to let the other classes have an input in politics. Supporters of this thought interests of those without the vote could still be represented)

Question 3

What factors contributed to the view of reform by 1830?

Answer 3

• Splits in Tory Party (Catholic Emancipation)
• Support for reform amongst some MPs
• 1830 general election (opportunity for widespread protest against the existing system, voting for those against it)
• Role of popular protest (pressure outside Parliament)

Question 4

Why was the Great Reform Act passed?

Answer 4

• Fear of a violent revolution (enhanced by revolutions in Europe)
• Economic distress (bad harvests) & rise in unemployment
• Well organised radical movements outside parliament (BPU)

Question 5

What factors led to people becoming Chartists?

Answer 5

• Betrayal of the Reform Act 1832
• Humiliation of the Pool Law Amendment 1834
• Impact of economic depression

Question 6

What were the methods used by the Chartists 1837-40?

Answer 6

• The Northern Star
• Chartist meetings
• The Chartist Convention
• First Petition
• Ulterior measures

Question 7

What were the reasons for the failure of Chartism?

Answer 7

• Failure of petitions
• Newport Rising
• Split in Leadership
• Economic depression and recovery
• Government action
• Chartist demands too radical
• Middle class sided with the aristocratic government to suppress the working classes (after 1832 and 1835 Municipal Corporation Act)
• Loss of Middle Class funding after 1839 (violence)

Question 8

What did the Chartists achieve?

Answer 8

• Working Class consciousness
• Working Class solidarity and focus
• Working Class organisation of protest
• Chartists and education
• Chartists and landownership

Question 9

How did government action effect the failure of Chartism?

Answer 9

• Prepared to deny demands of the Chartists
• Army effectively suppressed them (1839, 1848)
• Movement of troops across the country aided by the new rial system
• Wanted to avoid confrontation (like Peterloo) which could lead to a revolution

Question 10

What was the 1867 Act passed?

Answer 10

• Public pressure
• Population growth (24m to 29m)
• Expansion of industrial towns but not reflected in seat distribution
• Internal pressure (Gladstone wanted reform, Disraeli keen to find a way to gain favour with the public)
• Death of Palmerston 1865

Question 11

Why did the Whigs want reform in 1832?

Answer 11

• Preserve power of the landed aristocracy
• Maintain the importance of property
• Avoid a revolution