Fight for the vote Early 19th century

Question 1

Corrupt electoral system

Answer 1

Rotten Boroughs - sent an MP to parliament even though no one lived there
Only people who owned property could vote
No secret ballot - voters could be bribed or intimidated
Industrial towns had no representation - factory owners could not vote

Question 2

Peterloo Massacre

Answer 2

In response to corn taxes 60,000 protesters gathered led by Henry Hunt to peacefully call for parliamentary reform. However the authorities sent soldiers who killed 11 people. The government then banned meeting of more than 50 people and declared asking for reform treason

Question 3

The Great Reform act 1832

Answer 3

Organised through petitions, the government introduced the act and it was forced through the house of lords by the king. It redistributed MPs so industrial towns were represented and gave factory owners and merchants the vote

Question 4

Chartists

Answer 4

Formed in 1836 to demand for more reform with a variety of methods including petitions (claimed to have reached 5 million signatures) or more violent methods such as strikes. They were dealt harshly by authorities due to revolutionary fears and chartism soon faded away

Question 5

Terms of chartism

Answer 5

Chartists demanded:
Votes for all men
Equal sized constituencies
Secret ballots
Wages for MPs
No property qualification for voters
Anual Elections

Question 6

Impacts of chartism

Answer 6

Despite its short term failure Chartism’s principles were all eventually introduced bar annual elections