Growth Of Parliamentary Reform Flashcards
What was the state of Parliament in 1785?
MPs worked for free
Tried to have democracy
Only 11% of population could vote
Intimidation and bribery were used
What were the two main reactions to the French Revolution?
1790- Burke writes “Reflections on the Revolution in France”, criticising change.
1792- in response to Burke, Paine writes “Rights of Man”. By 1793 it sold more than 200,000 copies, inspired demand for reform
1829
Collapse of Tory Party after Wellington passed the Catholic Relief Act, Tories not forgiving, House of Commons didn’t support Catholic liberation- split the party into ultras vs liberals
What percentage of adults were entitled to vote by 1831?
5%
What attitude did Britain have in 1831?
A reformist attitude- Lord Grey passed 3 bills to Parliament
When was the Municipal Corporations Act?
1835
Lord Josh’s Russell
Expanded electorate for town councils
1832
Reform Act
18% could vote
Voters had to be registered
William Lovett
Helped to form the National Union of Working Classes in 1831
Fergus O’Conner
Most powerful Chartist leader
“Northern Star”
Published his own views and others
1838
William Lovett drafted the first People’s Charter and presented it to Parliament
1839
First Chartist petition shown to Parliament
Over 1/4 million signatures, rejected by 235 votes to 46
1842
Second Chartist petition to Parliament
3 million signatures, rejected
Valleys Rebellion
22 shot dead, wanted to gain right to vote, leaders middle class like John Frost
1848
Third Chartist Petition to Parliament
5 million signatures
Government claimed over half weren’t real
1866
Gladstone aimed to pass Reform Bill but provoked opposition and defeated by Disraeli
1867 Reform Act
7 boroughs disenfranchised
Electorate from 1.36 mil to 2.46 million
6 existing boroughs got one extra seat
1867 Gladstone vs Disraeli
Gladstone introduced reform bill to change vote from 1 in 5 to 1 in 4 men
Disraeli motivated by dislike for Gladstone
Rejected reform bills of 1853 and 1858- strong will, kept trying
1872 Ballot Act
Secret ballot introduced
Voting no longer done by show of hands
Stops corruption, bribery and intimidation
When was the Treason Act and what did it entail?
- Death penalty for any treasonable activity (e.g. political meetings publication of seditious material), an example of vigorous government control
When did William Pitt introduce reform?
- It was defeated
When did Lord Liverpool become PM and of which government?
1812 - Tory government
Which radical newspaper did Cobbett reduce the price of in 1816?
“Cobbett’s Political Register”
When was the Peterloo Massacre?
- Attracted around 60,000 people, 18 killed and more than 400 wounded. Middle class revolt
What were the Six Acts and when were they passed?
- Banned public meetings with more than 50 people. Death penalty for sedition. Strengthens government dealing with discontent
Why was the Birmingham Political Union set up?
To achieve greater representation for industrial cities
What was significant about the 1832 Reform Act?
Voters to be registered, electorate rose to 18%, 56 boroughs in England and Wales disenfranchised
What were the Municipal Corporations Act?
Reformed local government in towns
What were the aims of the People’s Charter?
Equal representation Annual Parliaments Secret ballot Removal of property qualification for MPs Universal manhood suffrage under 21 Payment of MPs
When the First Chartist Petition?
- It gained 1.2 million signatures.
How did the First Petition affect the Chartists?
Left them divided.
William Lovett and Thomas Atwood etc = moral force
Fergus O Conner and George Julian Harney etc = physical force, revolution?
When was the Second Chartist Petition?
- 3 million signatures
When was the Third Chartist Petition?
- 5 million signatures
What did Lord Russell propose in 1852?
Proposed to reduce the existing borough qualification from £10 to £6 per year.
What happened in 1858?
Removal of property qualifications for all MPs
When was the Reform Union founded?
1864 - middle class
When was the Reform League founded?
1865 - skilled working class
When did Gladstone become PM for the first time?
1868
