Growth Of Parliamentary Reform

Question 1

What was the state of Parliament in 1785?

Answer 1

MPs worked for free
Tried to have democracy
Only 11% of population could vote
Intimidation and bribery were used

Question 2

What were the two main reactions to the French Revolution?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

1829

Answer 3

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

Question 4

What percentage of adults were entitled to vote by 1831?

Answer 4

5%

Question 5

What attitude did Britain have in 1831?

Answer 5

A reformist attitude- Lord Grey passed 3 bills to Parliament

Question 6

When was the Municipal Corporations Act?

Answer 6

1835
Lord Josh’s Russell
Expanded electorate for town councils

Question 7

1832

Answer 7

Reform Act
18% could vote
Voters had to be registered

Question 8

William Lovett

Answer 8

Helped to form the National Union of Working Classes in 1831

Question 9

Fergus O’Conner

Answer 9

Most powerful Chartist leader
“Northern Star”
Published his own views and others

Question 10

1838

Answer 10

William Lovett drafted the first People’s Charter and presented it to Parliament

Question 11

1839

Answer 11

First Chartist petition shown to Parliament

Over 1/4 million signatures, rejected by 235 votes to 46

Question 12

1842

Answer 12

Second Chartist petition to Parliament

3 million signatures, rejected

Question 13

Valleys Rebellion

Answer 13

22 shot dead, wanted to gain right to vote, leaders middle class like John Frost

Question 14

1848

Answer 14

Third Chartist Petition to Parliament
5 million signatures
Government claimed over half weren’t real

Question 15

1866

Answer 15

Gladstone aimed to pass Reform Bill but provoked opposition and defeated by Disraeli

Question 16

1867 Reform Act

Answer 16

7 boroughs disenfranchised
Electorate from 1.36 mil to 2.46 million
6 existing boroughs got one extra seat

Question 17

1867 Gladstone vs Disraeli

Answer 17

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

Question 18

1872 Ballot Act

Answer 18

Secret ballot introduced
Voting no longer done by show of hands
Stops corruption, bribery and intimidation

Question 19

When was the Treason Act and what did it entail?

Answer 19

1795. Death penalty for any treasonable activity (e.g. political meetings publication of seditious material), an example of vigorous government control

Question 20

When did William Pitt introduce reform?

Answer 20

1785. It was defeated

Question 21

When did Lord Liverpool become PM and of which government?

Answer 21

1812 - Tory government

Question 22

Which radical newspaper did Cobbett reduce the price of in 1816?

Answer 22

“Cobbett’s Political Register”

Question 23

When was the Peterloo Massacre?

Answer 23

1819. Attracted around 60,000 people, 18 killed and more than 400 wounded. Middle class revolt

Question 24

What were the Six Acts and when were they passed?

Answer 24

1819. Banned public meetings with more than 50 people. Death penalty for sedition. Strengthens government dealing with discontent

Question 25

Why was the Birmingham Political Union set up?

Answer 25

To achieve greater representation for industrial cities

Question 26

What was significant about the 1832 Reform Act?

Answer 26

Voters to be registered, electorate rose to 18%, 56 boroughs in England and Wales disenfranchised

Question 27

What were the Municipal Corporations Act?

Answer 27

Reformed local government in towns

Question 28

What were the aims of the People’s Charter?

Answer 28

Equal representation 
Annual Parliaments
Secret ballot
Removal of property qualification for MPs
Universal manhood suffrage under 21
Payment of MPs

Question 29

When the First Chartist Petition?

Answer 29

1839. It gained 1.2 million signatures.

Question 30

How did the First Petition affect the Chartists?

Answer 30

Left them divided.
William Lovett and Thomas Atwood etc = moral force
Fergus O Conner and George Julian Harney etc = physical force, revolution?

Question 31

When was the Second Chartist Petition?

Answer 31

1842. 3 million signatures

Question 32

When was the Third Chartist Petition?

Answer 32

1848. 5 million signatures

Question 33

What did Lord Russell propose in 1852?

Answer 33

Proposed to reduce the existing borough qualification from £10 to £6 per year.

Question 34

What happened in 1858?

Answer 34

Removal of property qualifications for all MPs

Question 35

When was the Reform Union founded?

Answer 35

1864 - middle class

Question 36

When was the Reform League founded?

Answer 36

1865 - skilled working class

Question 37

When did Gladstone become PM for the first time?

Answer 37

1868