Greys Goverment - Politics great reform act

Question 1

Middle class agitation what did they do to try and bring about reform

Answer 1

1811 - Hamden clubs formed to option ate ideas - support of Henry hunt influenced by this group 
After 1815 revival for radical reform more focused and determined usually from middle class background 
1821- newspaper Manchester mouth piece for middle class pressing for parliamentary representation in large u represented towns

Question 2

Radicals

Answer 2

William wilberforce used seat in parliament to fight abolition of slavery,
David Ricardo - concerned with protecting economic interest of industrial classes
Benthamite radicals - James mill pressed more vocally for extension of franchise

Question 3

Working class agitation

Answer 3

Discontent on low wages, unemployment , inadequicies of poor relief system - expressed it through riots and disturbances in times of economic hardship , becoming politicised and interested in achieving political influence through extension

Question 4

Radical riots

Answer 4

1816 spa fields, London by Henry hunt
Poor organisation led to fighting amongst the crowds , arrests and dispersal by local militia
Following year cotton workers planned march from Manchester to London to present petitions to prince reagent - blanketeers
Government spies caused disorder among workers to catch ring leader
St peters field massacre 1819 - termed from grievance of Lancashire workers , employer refused to agree to legal minimum wage unable to negiotitate looked for a political solution, Manchester yeomanry appeared half way through speech magistrates ordered for hunts arrest
11 people killed.
Government were more anxious to keep local magistraty by side

Question 5

Differences between wants of middle class and working class

Answer 5

Shared a goal of bringing an end to aristocratic dominance of the politics, system the middle class became wary of being associated with working class agitate through persuasion not violence

Question 6

Swing riots ?

Answer 6

Another sudden economic slump in 1820 led to outbreaks of violence amongst agricultural labourers in South
Italy sparked off by - introduction of threshing machines onto farms threatened employment - June 1830 - series of letters appeared issuing threats against landowners and farmers signed Captain Swing - government reacted by hanging troublemakers and gaoling and transporting more

Question 7

Grey - background to anti slavery movement

Answer 7

Wilberforce
Clapham sect - ecouraged righteousness and promote idea of society seeking to improve personal standards of morality encouraged more regular reading launching propaganda : printing and publishing - based on improving literature aimed at middle and upper class
- help people could not help themselves
Supported by fox, canning, Grenville - Pitt pulled it back when conflicting interests aroused
1897 passed through parliament with no fuss ended trading of slaves but not those already in plantations
1823, wilberforce and Thomas Buxton formed anti skavery society outlaw slavery through out British colonies - faltered slaves value of 50 pounds would be overwhelmed by competition in southern American States passed under Whig government led by Lord grey

Question 8

When did Whigs come to power and what was greys aim

Answer 8

1830 election in November
The defeat of Tories removed obstruction to parliamentary reform
Expectation from many younger Whigs that reform would be introduced without delay
The cabinet was drawn of entirely of hours of lords reflections continuing aristocratic dominance of Whig party and influence was apparent

Question 9

Who was in greys cabinet

Answer 9

Several canningnites
Ensuring a majority in commons
Viscount palmerston canningnites Tory with moderate reforming view

Question 10

Dealing with unrest

Answer 10

1829 swing riots as a results of economic slump
Grey had already adjusted his priorities to focus on relieving distress
Realised firm action was first required to stem upsurge of disorder and possible. Rebellion
Setting up special commsisson to deal with rioters, were handed down heavy sentences or transported
Was as repressive as any government under Pitt Liverpool would now focus attention on reform

Question 11

Who did Whig want to bring about parliamentary reform that was demanded

Answer 11

Getting rid of the worst rotten boroughs and giving this representation to larger towns

Question 12

What influence did Thomas Atwood have on grey

Answer 12

Briminghams politcial Union inspired similar groups to form in Manchester and Worcester disorganised as some had different beliefs some were anti capalist - all demanded parliamentary reform through mass meeting riots and petitions 
Middle class before benefits of industrialisation - relatively small and willing to accept political power and authority rusted in hands of aristocracy  now thought deserved educated citezens have a share of power

Question 13

Who were middle class influenced by

Answer 13

Jeremy Bentham criticised parliament for failing to achieve greatest happiness of the greatest numbers

Question 14

How reform was drawn up

Answer 14

Government four pro reformers Lord John Russell, Lord Durham , althorp and Lord brougham proposal of redistribution of seats and extension of the franchise to represent u represented cities
Out towards house in March 1831 wrecked by commons grey resigned calling an election which resulted in Tory rout and Whigs returned to gov

Question 15

2 no attempt to pass bill

Answer 15

October 1831
Passed through commons but turned down by lords
Lords turning back on any idea of reform denying middle class interest and working class aspirations
Cause high reaction from public
Duke of Wellington and Newcastle had house attacked by mob

Question 16

Days of May

Answer 16

May 1832
After months of rebellion
Grey asked king to create 50 new peers he refused and as a result grey resigned and weed,ingrown was asked to from a government
Britain was on the verge of revolution d mass demonstrations in Birmingham grey returned as pm and king agreed to create new peers if lords refused bill again however in June 1832 reform bill was passed

Question 17

Terms of reform act

Answer 17

Voting qualifications - 
County franchise - old 40 shilling free hold qualifications remained and extended to include £10 copy holders £50 at tenants will 
£10 vote to all householders £10 
Redistribution of seats
56 rotten boroughs 
22 new boroughs like Gateshead given a mp 
Scotland 12 MPs Wales 5 
Larger counties gained extra seat s

Question 18

Impact of reform act

Answer 18

Moved Britain towards becoming a democratic society
Whigs argued reform would make House of Commons more rep of industrial society kept idea of owning land believed this would continue aristocracies part in maintaining stability and order
Defended position by involving commercial and industrial interest alongside own landed interests
Increased county rep limited power of new industrial constituencies allowed commons to attend to problem of changin society by blocking out working class

Question 19

Why were radicals dissatisfied

Answer 19

Reform not gone far enough
Abscense of serect ballot meant bribery and corruption could still continue and allowed landlords still to have excercise control of hustings
Still to narrow although franchise extended by 435,000 to 652,000 one in six men could vote still excluded working class
One shilling registration fee no properly paid officials to organise a list landed aristocracy lost monopoly
Many became MPs e.g Thomas Atwood represented new industrial wealth of Britain allowed Whigs to continue government able to impose to will on lords and monarch opening up to parliamentary reform gradually led to more reforms