Chapter 13: Whig and Tory Parties Flashcards
What was the traditional difference between the Whigs and the Tories?
The Whigs believed in a Constitutional Monarchy
What are the similarities between the Whigs and the Tories?
The majority of Whigs (1832), still belonged to powerful aristocratic landowning families and many regarded political reform as no longer needed. They were still a party of self interest and there was little politial reform for another 30 years.
What important acts did the Whigs pass after the Great Reform Act?
Factory Act (1833), Abolition of Slavery (1833) and the Municipal Corporations Act (1835).
What was the 1833 Factory Act the Whigs under Grey passed?
No child under the age of nine could work. Children between nine and thirteen must go to school part time.
What was the 1833 Abolition of Slavery Act the Whigs under Grey passed?
All slaves within the British empire had their freedom, and the government paid compensation to slave owners.
What was the Municipal Corporations Act 1835?
It reformed local government in the incorporated boroughs of England and Wales.
What were the 3 Early Nineteen Century Ideologies which influenced politics and social reform?
Utilitarianism, Evangelicalism, and Humanitarianism
What was Utilitarianism?
The belief that minimal interference in the lives of the people would bring ‘the greatest happiness in the greatest number’. By Jeremy Bentham. Saw it as government’s duty to achieve this by imposing as few restrictions as possible.
What was Evangelicalism?
A spiritual movement within the Anglican Church which encouraged righteousness, adherence to the bible and to seek salvation through faith.
What was Humanitarianism?
The belief in the worthiness of human beings, a love of mankind and behaving decently. It steered politicians towards adopting a sense of duty to the poorer members of society.
Why did the Whigs lose support leading up to 1841?
Poor organisation, conflict between Whigs and Radicals (they were more of a coalition than a party).
Why did the Tories begin to recover their position after 1834?
Due to their cohesiveness in opposition (in contrast to the Whigs), improved organisation due to Francis Bonham, they made better use of Parliamentary Whips, frequent meetings of party members to raise profile, and party solidarity and loyalty.
Who was Francis Bonham?
Helped with the organisation of the Tory party. He was the election manager appointed by Peel in 1834.
What were Parliamentary Whips?
The Tories made better use of them than the Whigs, even though they were not the party in power. The whips maximised voting strength by making sure members attended crucial debates than Whigs.
