Extensions Of The Franchise Flashcards
What was the key expansion of the franchise in 1832?
The Great Reform Act gave all men over 21 who passed the property qualification the right to vote.
The expansion of the franchise in 1918:
The Representation Of the People Act 1918 was the first time women got the vote. Most adult men over 21 and women over 30 who were married, a property owner or a graduate could vote.
The Ballot Act 1872:
Votes could no longer be bought by high up people making the majority of people free from corrupt influence.
Franchise extension 1928:
The Representation of the People Act 1928 aka the Equal Franchise Act extended the franchise to all over 21.
1969 Franchise extension:
ROPA 1969 allowed all adults (18+ year olds) to vote increasing turnouts.
the Scottish franchise extension:
Scottish Elections Act 2016 (reduction of voting age act). In 2014, all 16+ could vote in the Scottish independence referendum but the 2016 act granted this to all elections in Scotland.
How and when did the suffragist group start?
Led by Millicent Fawcett, the ‘National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies’ was set up after the original ‘Manchester Society for Women’s Suffrage’ inspired other local societies to form.
Features of the NUWSS or Suffragists:
-peaceful campaigning:
- letter writing
- organising petitions
- holding peaceful marches and protests.
- initially based in Manchester
- slow in changing things.
-attempted to work with the government.
How were the suffragettes formed?
In 1903 by Emmeline Pankhurst, the Women’s Social and Political union was formed with the help of her daughters due to the slow pace of change from the NUWSS. This was in Manchester originally but migrated to London in 1906.
Features of the suffragettes:
- only open to women
- focused on ‘deeds not words’
- used violence and illegals methods to gain publicity like arson or fighting police.
- purple, white and green
- they disrupted political party meetings.
