French Revolution and 1832 Reform Act Flashcards
When did the Napoleonic wars start?
1793
How long did the Napoleonic wars last?
22 years
When were the Corn Laws enacted?
1815
What was the purpose of the Corn Laws?
To keep the price of home grown wheat high because of the threat of foreign imports
What were the Combination Acts?
Laws to stop the formation of Trade Unions
When were the Combination Acts passed?
1799-1800
What happened on the 16th August 1819 in Manchester?
Peterloo Massacre
What does Bastille Day celebrate and what date is it?
The French Revolution, 14th July
Which Whig politician is most famous for speaking out against the French Revolution?
Edmund Burke
How many bills were introduced into parliament between the years 1830-1832 to initiate political reform?
3
Who resigned from the Tory Party in 1827?
Lord Liverpool
Who became the leader of the Tories from 1827?
Lord Wellington
Who died on the 26th June 1830?
George IV
What caused the Tory Party to split into ‘liberals’ and ‘ultras’?
The issue of Catholic emancipation
Which party was (mostly) in power between 1832 and 1841?
The Whigs
Give 2 long term reasons why the Reform Act of 1832 was passed.
Influence of French Revolution, American War of Independence, Enlightenment, Industrialisation, creation of the middle class, industrial working class, government repression
Give 2 short term reasons why the Reform Act of 1832 was passed.
Tory party split, Catholic Emancipation, death of George IV, accession of William IV, threat of 50 Whig peers, Bristol riots, Swing riots.
What happened in November 1831 over the course of 3 nights?
Bristol Riots
Political causes of the French Revolution
- Absolutism within France, King Louis XVI in complete power
- Army collected taxes and invested it in the army
- The people were trapped
Economic causes of the French Revolution
- Wealthiest parts of France were exempt from taxation
- France was in debt due to wars
- Economy was growing stagnant
- 90% of peasants lived below subsistence level
Social causes of the French Revolution
- Absolute Monarchy
- Hailstorm ruined harvest
- Clergy and Nobility didn’t pay any tax
- Bastille prison was stormed
- Widely circulated newspapers and inexpensive pamphlets
- Royal family move to Paris
When was the storming of Bastille Prison?
14th July 1789
What is Absolutism?
The power of the monarch is unlimited except for divine law. The only person who could change the powers of the monarch was the monarch himself
Impact of the French Revolution
- Many withdrew their support
- Caused people to question the political systems and wanted reform
- Influenced politicians to speak out
