DCY Issue 1: Why Britain became more Democratic, 1851-1928 Flashcards
introduction
In the mid 19th century Britain was a different country from what it had been hundreds of years prior. Industrialization was the economic and social change in Britain where they didn’t have to rely on wealth from the aristocrats. This was because the middle class workers wanted change as they demanded for a reform as a result of that there began the pressure groups. However, other factors that had helped democracy grow were industrialisation and urbanisation and the effects of the great war. This essay intends that industrialisation and urbanisation was the most important factor in the growth of democracy as it was the catalyst for change.
WW1
K-Fear of bringing back the militant suffragette campaign, combined with a realisation of the importance of women’s war work, led to the reform act of 1918.
A-This was important as it allowed women over 30 to vote for a say.
A+- However, this did not necessarily affect women as most war working women were not over 30.
K-As the first world war broke out it brought a need for political change as many men still had no vote but were conscripted to fight from 1916.
A-This was important as it was unfair for the men fighting and dying in the war and having no say of how it was going to be run.
To gain party advantage( party competition)
K-In 1867 the Tory party formed a government after 20 years out of power. They knew the liberals were planning a new reform act and so decided to “steal the liberal’s clothes” and get in first.
A-This was important as by passing the second reform act 1867, they hoped that these new voters would support them.
K-To combat this the Liberals passed the 1872 Secret Ballot Act and the 1883 Corrupt and Illegal Practices Act when they got back into power.
A-This was important as a result of this, voters were now able to truly vote for who they wanted without fear of bribery or intimidation.
A+-However, this led to the Conservatives having a significant drop in votes in the following years.
Changing political attitudes
K-In 1865 the Liberal Prime Minister Lord Palmerston died. Whilst he had supported more ‘liberal’ ideas and democratic change abroad, he had done his best to stop any kind of reform (democratic change) in Britain.
A-This was important as his death paved the way for more liberal ideas to be promoted and other Liberal politicians were free to try and reform British politics.
K-The growth of the Liberal party in the 19th century generally was a factor in democratic change in Britain as they challenged the power of the Tories and the traditional landed elite.
A-This was important as the liberal MPs introduced laws such as the Secret Ballot Act of 1872 which ensured that new working class voters could not be bribed or intimidated by their landlords.
A+-However these attitudes were largely a side-effect of industrialisation. The growth of Liberal ideas went hand in hand with the growth of cities as new ideas were exchanged and people wanted to break the power of landowners.
Pressure Groups
K-The reform league set was set up in 1865 and campaigned for the extension of the franchise to all men and the redistribution of seats.
A-This helped to convince the government that the country had reached the tipping point between where it was to allow the skilled middle class workers to vote, but dangerously delaying to give it to them for longer.
K-Groups like the Reform League, the Chartists and Reform Union demanded political change in Britain. They organised meetings and held marches, with major demonstrations being held in London and Glasgow in the 1860s.
A- The fact that more and more people were given the vote as the years went on shows that pressure groups were making a difference.
A+- However, change still took a long time, showing that pressure groups were not having a big impact
Industrialisation & Urbanisation
K-The middle class mainly owned businesses and industries in Britain making them the main means of the wealth production in the uk.
A-This was important as it was their factories rather than their astrodactyl land production that pay for Britain’s navy and would be more enfranchised.
K- the industrial revolution required jobs with a higher skill level, needing workers to have a higher level of education.
A-This prompted the education act of 1870,the education act increased the level of education and gave knowledge to brits allowing them to understand and take politics more seriously, they could make more informed decision and help effectively change democracy in Britain
A+-however the industrial revolution only focuses on the new working class and doesn’t give any more representation to those bellow leaving them with no say.
Conclusion
In conclusion, pressure groups were important in the growth of democracy as these groups created reform acts and fought hard in parliament to get middle class workers to vote and the creation of the labour party. However, industrialization and urbanisation were in pressure groups and were there maon supporters
Furthermore, the effect of the great war was important as soldiers gain their vote and women workers of militant suffrage got the reform act to vote over 30 for men and women. However, industries & urbanisation was more important as the acts that the women workers and soldiers fought for something that was about to already happen.
Finally, industrialisation and urbanisation was the most important factor as the working class was born which was the main catalyst for change and fought against astracast to relay
This was the main reason why democracy grew most in Britain between 1851 and 1920.
