Democratic Reform Flashcards
Why was there an increasing pressure for democratic reform
Not everyone could vote or become MPs only the rich landowners
Parliament passed laws for farming and rich people- nothing for poor
Voting- vote was public- bribery and intimidation common
Industrial- Increasing population
Large towns lacked MPs but small villages had many- country was not represented properly
Describe the Peterloo Massacre
1819- unrest of conditions
Henry hunt thought it would be better if the working class were in Parliament
He gave a speech and thousands came to listen
Frightened Manchester magistrates
Hunt was arrested and the crowd was dispersed
11 killed hundreds injured
Describe the 1832 reform act caused by a campaign and marches to reform parliament
In towns all men who owned property worth £10 a year got the vote
In counties all men who owned land worth £2 a year got the vote
Seats taken away from less populated and given to larger cities
Was not enough for many
Describe who the Chartists were
What were there aims- how did they plan to achieve them?
Growing group of radicals that had discontent
founded in 1838
Aimed to win the vote by taking a petition of demands to parliament
It was called the people’s charter
Describe the people’s charter
Vote for all men over 21
Payment for MPs
No property qualifications for MPs
Equal constituencies
Annual elections
Secret ballot
Explain why the Chartist movement failed
Demands too radical
Government refused and rejected them
Demonstrated broken up
False signatures
Ridiculed by press
Other movements with immediate benefits
Fighting within the group some wanted peaceful campaign others wanted violence
Little support outside of working class
Lacked people that could influence parliament
Economy picked up
Describe the second Reform act 1867
People in towns who paid £10 a year I rent could vote - skilled working class
People in the country who paid £12 a year in rent could vote
More seats were redistributed- large towns and counties given MPs
Farm labourers still did not have the vote
Describe the secret ballot act…
People could vote in secret
no longer forced to vote for the candidate supported by their landowner/ employer
Describe the Third Reform Act 1884
The vote was given to workers in the countryside
Still 40% of men and all women could not vote
Still voting was based on owning or renting property
Describe the redistribution of seats act 1885
Aim: equal constituencies
Smaller towns lost one or two MPs
Larger towns gained an MP
Scotland given 12 MPs
Describe the Parliament act 1911
Aim: reduce power of House of Lords + make it possible for all classes MP
House of Lords lost power to veto bills passed by commons
Lords could delay bills for 2 years
MPs paid
Describe the effects of the industrial revolution and growth of the cities on democracy
How was the population represented politically, what did people want- (middle class and lower class), how did people change
Britain industrial- population increasing- parliament no longer represented the country well
Middle classes wanted a say
Working class wanted parliamentary reform- to give them improved working conditions
Railways- communication- made people aware of national issues
Basic education and improved technology gave newspaper to working class
Political parties spread national policies
Describe the protest and pressure groups- what they campaigned for and caused
Campaigns to reform parliament, marches causes the 1832 reform act
Chartism in 1840s demanded the vote
trade unions began campaigning for rights of working people
Pressure groups persuaded politicians to consider reform
1867 reform act caused by pressure from demonstrations
Describe how political advantage was gained by liberals
What did conservatives do, how did liberals maintain power
1832- some reform to prevent revolution given by conservatives
1833 Corrupt bad Illegal Practices act- liberals limit spending on elections- lesson advantage of conservatives
Ruling parties gave votes to respectable working class
1867 Conservative stole liberal ideas passed reform act gave vote to working class men in towns
Liberals in power in 1880s
Describe the changing political attitudes, how people gained respect, that convinced politicians to give them the vote
1900 political attitudes changing and political reform less threat
Liberalism and democracy became popular
Skilled working men in cities artisans were more educated and respected
During American Civil War- British textile workers accepted wage cuts
Convinced politicians that they deserved the vote.
