Explain why Parliamentary Reform was passed in 1832

Question 1

Problem with the pre- 1832 System

Answer 1

• Limited franchise and dominance of aristocracy = increasing economic wealth and influence of M/C led to demands for M/C vote. Failure of previous reforms e.g. 1790s
• Industrialisation = Demands for representation for industrial towns e.g. Manchester
• Rotten and Pocket Boroughs = Demands for re-distribution of seats and end to corruption and bribery

Question 2

Political

Answer 2

• Collapse of Tory Party due to divisions over Catholic Emancipation = Tories were against reform and consistently opposed it, their collapse removed an obstacle to reform.
• Revival of Whig Party = Whig Party and their leader Early Grey were supporters of moderate reform

Question 3

Social

Answer 3

• Closer relationship between W/C and M/C between 1829 and 1832 = in late 1820s resentment of landed elite’s stranglehold on political power saw M/C and W/C on same side
• Formation of political unions to agitate for reforms = Political unions successfully raised the profile of the reform issue through rallies and petitions e.g. Birmingham Political Union

Question 4

Monarchy

Answer 4

• Death of George IV = George IV was pro-Tory and a staunch opponent of electoral reform. His death removed an obstacle to reform
• William IV came to the throne = William IV was pro-Whig and was realistic enough to appreciate the need to remedy some of the worst excesses of the existing system

Question 5

International

Answer 5

• Fall of Charles X of France in 1830 = Critics of the system in Britain argued that if genuine grievances were not recognised, then Britain could experience a revolution as well

Question 6

Conclusion

Answer 6

• Problems with pre-1832 system