Defeat / Failure Of Parlimentry Reform In The 1780s & 90s

Question 1

Why was Lack of consensus a reason for defeat of parlimentary reform

Answer 1

 There was a split between moderates and radicals outside parliament.
 Split between different groups inside parliament e.g. supports of Pitt and supporters of Fox
 Some reform proposals were seen as too radical
 As national fortunes improves, Parliamentary Reform faded

Question 2

(Why was Lack of consensus a reason for defeat of parlimentary reform) ——- LIMITATIONS TO REASONS?

Answer 2

 Prior to Pitt being made PM there was more of a consensus within Parliament.

 There was a consensus amongst these groups for a need for Parliamentary Reform, but they just disagreed on the detail.

 Attempts to pass Parliamentary reform inside parliament were influenced by campaigning outside of Parliament e.g. Yorkshire Association or Pamphlets read by the Duke of Richmon

Question 3

Why was vested interest and monarchy a reason for defeat of parliamentary reform

Answer 3

 The unreformed system benefitted the Tories in particular e.g. Rotten Boroughs

 Disenfranchising rotten and pocket
boroughs would limit the power and influence of the aristocracy and monarchy over the House of Commons

 Monarch controlled about 30MPs

 Lack of Monarchy’s support = little chance
of passing HoC and HoL

Question 4

(Why was vested interest and monarchy a reason for defeat of parliamentary reform) - LIMITATIONS TO REASONS?

Answer 4

 Pitt’s June 1783 Bill which proposed restricting abuses in Public Office was actually passed by the Hoc, although it was later defeated in the HoL.

 Despite vested interests there were attempts from within Parliament to disenfranchise Rotten and Pocket Boroughs e.g. Duke of Richmond’s Bill and Pitt’s 1783 and 1785 Bills.

Question 5

Why was defence of existing systems a defeat for parliamentary reform?

Answer 5

 Many people felt there was no need for change e.g. some Tories genuinely believed that no other class was capable of ruling.

 Rotten and Pocket Boroughs were seen as allowing young outstanding politicians to rise to the top.

Question 6

)Why was defence of existing systems a defeat for parliamentary reform?) - LIMITATIONS TO REASONS?

Answer 6

 There were many in Parliament who voted in favour of Parliamentary reform e.g. in 1783 = 149 and 1785 = 174.

 Although Pitt benefitted from rotten and pocket boroughs through his career, he was in favour of disenfranchising them and reducing corruption and Bribery e.g. 1783 + 1785.

 1785 Bill did appear to give some recognition to the growing commercial interests in Britain e.g. trade, merchants and business (Middle Class)

Question 7

Why did the impact of French Revolution cause a defeat for parliamentary reform ( take into account if dates go up to 1790’s or 1815)

Answer 7

• French Revolution created a fear of Revolution in Britain
• Reform became associated with radicalism and revolution
• reform was seen as unpatriotic as it was closely associated with revolution - this was increased after the start of the war against France 1793
• led to increased support for the status quo

Question 8

(Why did the impact of French Revolution cause a defeat for parliamentary reform ( take into account if dates go up to 1790’s or 1815) - LIMITATIONS TO REASON

Answer 8

 The French Revolution did not create radicalism in Britain – it already existed. But the French Revolution did give it momentum
 The ‘Revolutionary underground’ was not that revolutionary

 Majority of the population were in favour
of the status quo.