Britain - The Growth of Parliamentary Democracy Flashcards
In this period, who was the country run by?
The Monarch (head of state) and the Houses of Parliament (elected Commons and designated Lords)
How did one become a Lord?
Gain a peerage from the monarch and to be in the House of Commons you had to be elected (but only eligible if in possession of a certain quantity of wealth)
To stand for election in the House of Commons, how much did your property have to be worth a year?
More than £300 a year
How did one who was not a member of the upper class become a Member of Parliament?
Through the backing of a peer who would fund you (patronage)
What was undemocratic about a patronage?
MPs would have to represent the views form the peers that supported them, or face losing their financial support
In 1801, what percentage of Britain’s 658 MPs received their patronage from Lords?
50%
What does franchise mean?
The ability to vote
What are the two types of constituencies?
Boroughs and counties
What was the pre - reform franchise like in counties?
Rural shires
Each county elected 2 MPs to Westminster (no matter the size)
To vote, you had to own a property worth £2 a year in rent
What was the pre - reform franchise like in boroughs?
Urban towns
Each elected 2 MPs
6 different types of franchise (not standardised)
In which year did William Pitt propose de-franchising 36 rotten boroughs
1785
What did The London Society of Constitutional Information do?
Used pamphlets to promote public awareness of the need for reform
Who established The London Society of Constitutional Information?
John Major Cartwright
In which year was The London Society of Constitutional Information established?
1780
What were rotten boroughs?
Boroughs which were important during the middle ages but declined in status (still elected the same number of MPs)
What were pocket boroughs?
Smaller boroughs directly controlled by wealthy individuals through payment/bribery
Give an example of a pocket borough
Gatton (in Surrey) was bought in 1801 for £90000 to eliminate opponents
Give an example of a borough that had underrepresentation
In 1831 in Birmingham, there was a population of 144000 but it was not recognised as a parliamentary borough so couldn’t elect MPs
What were the problems with a lack of secret ballot?
Led to voter intimidation
Landed gentry put pressure on tenants to vote the way they wanted
What was the impact of the French Revolution on Britain?
Outbreak of FR in 1789 (aristocratic rule overthrown) British public began to criticise their own model of democracy
What did Edmund Burke write that criticised the FR?
Reflections of the Revolution in France (1790)
What did Thomas Paine write that supported the FR?
Rights of Man (1791)
What were the Spa Field Riots?
4 reformers arrested for high treason but soon acquitted (1816)
What act was introduced in 1795 as a result of the FR?
Treason Act - anyone found guilty of political meetings/treason would receive death penalty
When did the Peterloo Massacre occur?
1819
Who gave speeches about reform at the Peterloo Massacre?
Henry Hunt gave speeches about reform and 60000 people attended
How did Middle Class businessmen initially react to political reform?
Initially resistant to political reform as they wanted to conserve the current system of governance.
Why did Middle Class businessmen dislike the Corn Laws of 1815?
Prevented the import of foreign corn until domestic corn reached 10 shillings a bushel (rings cost of living)
When were the Corn Laws enforced?
1815
What were the grievances of the Middle Class regarding political representation?
Frustrated that ineffective men held office due to patronage. Despite their economic dominance and the ongoing they were underrepresented in Parliament.
