Further Reform 1852-1870 Flashcards
What were changing Tory attitudes post 1852?
Increased number of new Tory’s who recognised the benefits of reform for their party
What was one major reason for changing Tory attitudes?
Between 1832-1852, the Tory’s were only in power for 7 years
What was the population growth between 1821-1851?
24 million to 31 million, increased number of men didn’t have the vote
When did Lord Russel propose his first reform bill, and what did it propose?
1852, the reduction of property qualifications from £10 to £6
How many bills did Lord Russel propose for reform?
3 - 1852, 1854 and 1860 (all rejected)
What was the Conservative Bill of 1859 and why did it fail?
All borough qualifications would also be applicable to counties, upset the Whigs who were in power
Who was in prime minster between 1859-1865, and what issues did he cause?
Lord Palmerston, was very anti-reform
Who upset Lord Palmerston in 1858, and what did he do?
Birmingham Mp John Bright made speeches pushing for reform - forced to apologise
How did the American civil war increase demand for reform in the 1860s?
The block of cotton exports to Britain caused economic distress in the textile industry - Lancashire, 350,000 lost employment
What did the Reform Union and Reform League demand for after 1865?
Votes for all men, secret ballots
What was the major difference between then reform league and reform union?
Reform league - middle class support ( personal links with MPs and increased funding), Reform Union - working class support ( widespread support )
Why were both the reform Union and league effective?
Used peaceful protests instead of a radical approach
What happened in 1865 aiding opportunity for reform?
Death of Lord Palmerston
Who proposed a reform bill in 1866?
William Gladstone
What was Galdstone’s Reform Bill (1866)?
£10 property qualifications dropped to £7 in boroughs, £50 property qualifications dropped to £14 in counties
What issues did Gladstone’s reform bill cause in the Whig party?
Created divisions due to loyalists of Palmerston viewing it as too radical- caused the resignation of new PM Lord Russel
Who became the new PM after the death of Palmerston?
Lord Russel
Where did riots occur (1866)?
Hyde Park
What were the consequences of The Hyde Park riots?
The conservatives gained power due to instability of the Whig government
Which conservative pushed the passing of the 1867 reform act, and why?
Benjamin Disraeli, wanted to break they Tory’s reputation of being anti reform
What boroughs lost seats in the 1867 reform act?
45 sears taken from boroughs with a population of 100,000 or less, 7 were completely disenfranchised
How were these seats redistributed in 1867?
20 given to counties, 20 to boroughs, 6 additional seats added and 1 given to Uni of London
What was the major change to the voting franchise from the 1867 reform act?
Votes given to all renters of land worth £10+ a year or owners of land worth £5+ a year in counties and boroughs,
What was the size of the new voting franchise after the 1867 reform act?
2.46 million voters (1/3 of male adults now have the vote)
What was the major positive impact on voting due to the increase of size of the voting franchise?
Less corruption
Why did the passing of the 1867 Reform Act backfire for Disraeli and the Tories?
Tories defeated due to the new electorate in 1868, Whig’s regained power
How did the Whigs ensure success from the new electorate?
More liberal party, gave out speeches to promote Whig party
How did the view of British politics change post 1867?
More democratic view, not just majority power with rich
What were the issues of the 1867 reform act?
Southern areas still dominated and rich property owners in lands and boroughs gained 2 votes
