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A-Level History: Britain 1785-1870 > Causes of 1832 Reform Act > Flashcards

Causes of 1832 Reform Act Flashcards

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1
Q

What did the London Society for Constitutional Information founded in 1780 propose?

A

Raise public awareness of the need for reform

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2
Q

What did William Pitt propose in 1785?

A

Disenfranchisement of 36 boroughs and redistribution of seats to counties

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3
Q

Name 2 organisations that tried to raise the issue of political reform in the 1790s.

A

Sheffield Society for Constitutional Information, London Corresponding Society

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4
Q

How many people attended a rally at Copenhagen Fields to call for political reform in 1795?

A

100,000

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5
Q

What law of 1795 clamped down on political reform activity after the start of the Napoleonic Wars?

A

Treason Act

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6
Q

Which early radical writer and journalist called for political reform in the early 1800s?

A

William Cobbett

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7
Q

Between what dates did Lord Liverpool serve as a PM?

A

1812-1827

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8
Q

How many soldiers returned from the Napoleonic Wars?

A

400,000

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9
Q

Which radical spoke to the crowds at St Peter’s Fields, Manchester, 1819?

A

Henry Hunt

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10
Q

When and where were the Spa Fields Riots?

A

Islington, London, 1816

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11
Q

Who was hung for his role in the Pentrich Rising in 1817?

A

Jeremiah Brandreth

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12
Q

How did the government try to crush the reform movement in 1819?

A

Six Acts
Suspension of Habeas Corpus

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13
Q

What happened during the Cato Street Conspiracy?

A

Led by radical Arthur Thistlewood a plot to assassinate the cabinet was uncovered

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14
Q

What does the term ‘laissez faire’ mean?

A

Principle that government should not control the economy or markets

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15
Q

Why did middle-class business men think that they should have the vote? Give 2 reasons.

A

Because they created the wealth of industrial Britain, their entrepreneurial skill and hard work, they were educated

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16
Q

Why did Britain prosper after 1820?

A

Improved harvests, GNP grew by 16.8% and manufacturing grew by 25% during 1821-1829, no large scale discontent

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17
Q

When did (the more liberal) Robert Peel become Home Secretary?

A

1822-27

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18
Q

In what years did poor harvests re-energise discontent amongst workers?

A

1828,1829

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19
Q

Why did the Swing Riots break out in 1830 in the South east of England?

A

Poor harvests, mechanisation (threshing machine) of seasonal labour

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20
Q

In what city did major riots occur in response to the failure of a reform bill in 1831?

A

Bristol

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21
Q

Who established the Birmingham Political Union in 1829 and what was his profession?

A

Thomas Attwood, banker

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22
Q

What was the aim of the Birmingham Political Union?

A

To achieve more representation for industrial centres/towns/cities

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23
Q

Why did the ‘union’ of Ireland with Britain in 1800 create more problems than it solved for the British government?

A

It brought into sharp focus the issue of Catholic Emancipation – (Catholics since Penal Laws in 1691 were barred from sitting in Parliament)

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24
Q

Following the resignation of Lord Liverpool in 1827 how many PMs did the Tories have in less than a year?

A

3

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25
Q

Why was the issue of Catholic Emancipation explosive for the Tories?

A

It divided the party into ‘liberals’ and ‘ultras’ and Wellington wasn’t forgiven for seeing it through

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26
Q

When did Catholic Emancipation happen?

A

1829

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27
Q

Who led the Whigs to power in 1830?

A

Earl Grey

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28
Q

What was proposed in the 1831 reform bill by Grey’s government?

A

Disenfranchisement of 100 rotten and pocket boroughs and redistribution of seats to towns

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29
Q

Whose death in 1830 helped to bring about the Reform Act 1832 and why?

A

George IV because William IV was more pro reform

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30
Q

Why did the People of Bristol riot in 1831?

A

The Lords blocked the 2nd of Grey’s reform bills and the people of Bristol were angry

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31
Q

What final tactic did Earl Grey use to ensure the passage of his 3rd reform bill?

A

The prospect of creating 50 new Whig peers to counterbalance Tory dominance

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32
Q

What tactic did the middle-class use to pressure the government to enact reform?

A

Withdrawal of 1.8 million pounds from banks to destroy government finance

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33
Q

Why did the Tories capitulate in 1832 allowing the Reform Act to be passed?

A

The prospect of 50 new Whig peers to the House of Lords would permanently dilute the Tory dominance

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34
Q

What international event encouraged the British elite to consider reform of parliament?

A

July Revolution in France, 1830

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35
Q

How was Britain different to all the other European countries?

A

Had a system of parliamentary democracy - ‘bill of rights’

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36
Q

What was the problem with George III?

A

He was mentally unstable

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37
Q

Which house was more powerful in 1785?

A

Lords - could use their wealth to buy MPs to vote on their behalf

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38
Q

Patronage

A

Power to control appointments to high office

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39
Q

In 1761 how many MPS were financed by lords?

A

111

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40
Q

In 1801 how many MPs were financed by lords?

A

50% - patronage got worse not better

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41
Q

What allowed corruption and bribery to take place in 1785?

A

No secret ballot

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42
Q

In election in Liverpool in 1830 what did it cost 2 candidates in bribery?

A

Over £100,000

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43
Q

What did local land lords do?

A

Evict tenants if they did not vote what the lord wnated

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44
Q

What was the electorate like in 1831?

A

500,000 out of a total population of 24 million
. Only men could votes
. Industrial class not represented

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45
Q

What were MPs like in the commons?

A

Rich and wealthy

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46
Q

What % could vote in 1775

A

11%

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47
Q

How many English constituencies were there and how many members did they return in 1775?

A

. 245 English constituencies
. 489 members

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48
Q

How many Welsh constituencies were there and how many members did they return in 1775?

A

. 24 Welsh constituencies
. 1 members

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49
Q

How many Scottish constituencies were there and how many members did they return in 1775?

A

. 45 Scottish constituencies
. 1 members

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50
Q

Issue with boroughs

A

Some boroughs had no MPs even though they had hundreds of thousands of people

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51
Q

Corporation boroughs

A

Vote only to members of the corporation, usually a very small electorate

52
Q

Corporation borough fact

A

Out of 26 boroughs, 26 had less than 50 voters

53
Q

Scot and Lot

A

Vote to all male householders who paid local poor rates

54
Q

How many voters did Westminster have compared to Gatton

A

. Westminster - 5000
. Gatton - only 6

55
Q

Potwalloper

A

Males in households that had a hearth big enough to boil a pot

56
Q

Burgage

A

Vote to owners of certain pieces of land or property usually with a small electorate

57
Q

Freeholder

A

. Most common
. Vote went to all males who received the freedom of the city by inheritance, marrying the daughter or buying the right

58
Q

Pocket borough

A

Small borough easily manipulated by the landowner

59
Q

Old Sarum

A

Only had 7 voters

60
Q

Rotten borough

A

Small town or hamlet now declined in stature - they were corrupt

61
Q

What happened to Dunwich?

A

Fell into the sea

62
Q

How many boroughs had fewer than 40 voters

A

56

63
Q

Which industrial cities had no MPS

A

Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Sheffield

64
Q

Rural shires elected ..

A

2 MPs

65
Q

How many county MPs were there

A

122

66
Q

What did people need to vote in a county?

A

Own a freehold property worth more than 40 shillings a year - as the value of money declined more voted in counties than boroughs

67
Q

How many MPs from a county did England have and how did this compare to the rest of Britain?

A

England - 2 MPs
Ireland - 2 MPs
Scotland - 1 MP
Wales - 1 MP

68
Q

Issue with counties

A

Counties had 2 MPs regardless of size of population
Bedfordshire had 2000 people where as Yorkshire has 20,000 - still only had 2 MPs

69
Q

In Ireland how many were Catholic?

A

90%

70
Q

Relief Act of 1793

A

Gave Catholic the right to vote in elections but not sit in parliament

71
Q

When could Catholics become MPs?

A

Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829

72
Q

What was the Scottish MP relationship like with Westminster?

A

They were at odds due to the Scottish under representation

73
Q

What was not established which is common today?

A

Party loyalty as MPs often switched political allegiances or voted on issues according to their interests

74
Q

Tories

A

. Wealthy land owners
. Opposed parliamentary reform
. More religiously tolerant than Whigs
. Supported the King

75
Q

Whigs

A

. Wealthy land owners
. Members of aristocracy
. Restricted the power of the King

76
Q

Radicals

A

. Handful of MPs
. Wanted reform of the political system
. Improvement for the working class
. Influenced by utilitarianism

77
Q

How many different types of electoral systems were there in the borough

A

6

78
Q

Who was unhappy with the 1785 parliamentary system?

A

. Catholics
. Irish, Scottish and Welsh
. Women
. North
. The poor
. Urban residents

79
Q

Who was most in favour if the 1785 parliamentary system?

A

. South
. Men
. English
. Protestant
. Upper class
. Propertied class
. Rural residents

80
Q

The American war of Independence

A

. Colonists had no representation
. Americans drafted Declaration of Independence
. High taxation there - Stamp Act

81
Q

Causes of the French Revolution?

A

. Marie Antoinette had a yearly clothing allowance of millions of dollars
. 90% of peasants lived at or below subsistence level
. Luxury of the wealthy
. Admired success of American War of Independence
. Bourgeoise
. Enlightenment

82
Q

Political consequences of France and America on Britain

A

Ideas of democracy and absolute monarchy over thrown

83
Q

Economic consequences of France and America on Britain

A

Britain lost colonies, both wars costly for Britain

84
Q

Social consequences of France and America on Britain

A

Spirit of enlightenment, united working classes in Britain and France, middle class see opportunity

85
Q

What did Edmund Burke think of the French Revolution?

A

Against it as there was little consideration for the aftermath

86
Q

What did Thomas Paine think of the French Revolution?

A

Defended the French Revolution and he wanted radical reform
Urged the establishment of democracy

87
Q

What did ‘The Rights of Man’ by Paine question?

A

The traditional values of Britain and urged people to rebel against what he believed were generations of oppression

88
Q

How many copies of ‘The Rights of Man’ by Paine were sold and what did this inspire?

A

200,000 - inspired campaign for reform

89
Q

How serious was the threat to status quo in Britain from the French Revolution?

A

. Not that serious
. Unlike France they had a constitution
. Disliked the French and did not want to support their ideas

90
Q

What happened to ‘The Rights of Man’ in 1792

A

It was banned

91
Q

When was ‘The Rights of Man’ banned?

A

1792

92
Q

When were the two French Revolutions?

A

1789 and 1830

93
Q

The Cato Street conspiracy

A

1820 foiled attempt to assassinate the entire cabinet

94
Q

Birmingham Political Union formation date and methods

A

. Formed in 1829
. Formed respectable societies peacefully Agitating for reform of the electoral system

95
Q

What did Attwood do?

A

Gave speeches to crows of 200,000 emphasising the importance of the industrious classes

96
Q

Who replaced George IV?

A

His more tolerant brother William IV

97
Q

What happened to parliament when the new King took over?

A

. The King asked the Duke of Wellington to form a government
. He was against reform and quickly forced out

98
Q

What happened after Wellington was forced out?

A

. The King asked the Whig, Earl Grey, to form a Government
. Charles Grey had tried to introduce a Reform Bill 40 yers before

99
Q

What was public opinion like in the summer of 1831?

A

Massively reformist

100
Q

What did Lord Gray introduce

A

3 bills to parliament (first 2 blocked), 3rd bill passed after he resigned and he used the threat of extra Whig peers

101
Q

What happened in 1831?

A

Riot when parliament decided against reform

102
Q

Riots in Bristol in 1831

A

. Some of the worst riots
. Public buildings and houses were set on fire
. More than £300,000 of damage
. 12 died
. 31 sentenced to death

103
Q

What did the government fear in 1831?

A

Unless there was some reform there might be a revolution instead

104
Q

Why did the threat of revolution subside in the 1820s?

A

Economic upturn

105
Q

What did John Doherty do in the north of England

A

Founded a trade union for cotton spinners,

106
Q

How was revolutionary spirit apparent - link to France

A

At the opening of the Manchester-Liverpool Railway ‘Tricolour flags’ were displayed

107
Q

When was William Pitt the Younger PM?

A

1783 - youngest PM at 24 until 1801
Became PM again from 1804 until death in 1806

108
Q

What did Lord Liverpool call for after Peterloo?

A

Repressive measures at domestic level to maintain order

109
Q

What unpopular laws did Lord Liverpool bring in

A

. Corn laws
. Suspension of Habeus Corpus

110
Q

What did Liverpool do from 1822 to 1827?

A

Improve social and economic reforms

111
Q

Who did Lord Liverpool want to gain the support from and what did he do?

A

. Wanted the support of manufacturers and moderate reforms
. Repeal of the combination acts

112
Q

When was Lord John Russell PM?

A

From 1846 to 1852 and again from 1863 to 1866

113
Q

What did Lord John Russell do for reform?

A

One of the principal architects of the 1832 Reform Act and favoured expanding the right to vote to the middle class

114
Q

What else did Lord John Russell advocate?

A

Catholic emancipation and repeal of the corn laws

115
Q

When was Lord Wellington PM?

A

In 1834 and and again from 1828-1830

116
Q

How did Lord Wellington feel about reform?

A

Very conservative and repressed reform

117
Q

Lord Wellington and Catholics

A

Granted almost full civil rights to Catholics

118
Q

When was George Canning PM?

A

1827

119
Q

George Canning reform and Catholics

A

. Advocated Catholic emancipation
. Opposed parliamentary reform

120
Q

What were the Tories like in the early 1830

A

. Weak
. 3 different leaders in a short period
. Strengthened Whigs cause

121
Q

Why did Earl Grey want to extend the vote?

A

Increase his chance of attaining office

122
Q

What made it harder to put down the middle class?

A

Use of speeches and persuasion so violence could not repress them

123
Q

What did the government not want to do to the middle class?

A

Alienate them

124
Q

What happened when the House of Lords blocked a reform bill?

A

Riots

125
Q

‘Days of May’

A

Riots after Grey’s resignation

126
Q

How did the middle class hurt the government?

A

Withdrew money from banks to destroy their finances - in two days more than £1.8 million was removed

127
Q

What did the King promise Grey?

A

He would make Whig peers to pass reform

A-Level History: Britain 1785-1870 (19 decks)

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