How Democratic?

Question 1

How did the franchise make Britain more democratic?

Answer 1

• Voting linked to ownership of property
• Only wealth men could vote
• 1867 2nd Reform Act
• 1884 3rd Reform Act
• 1918 Representation of the People
  • This was important in making Britain more democratic as by 1918 all men no matter their status had the right to vote and finally the barrier had been broken for women’s voting rights.
  ~ However, this may be of less importance in making Britain more democratic as the majority of women were excluded from the vote.

Question 2

How was fairness in the system adapted?

Answer 2

• Hustings voting system
• 1872 Secret Ballot Act
• CIP Act 1883
• People could vote freely and elections were done on a fair financial playing field
• However corruption never truly went away

Question 3

How was choice changed?

Answer 3

• The big two parties
• 1906 Labour Party
• Meant that the working class has someone to represent them
• However still little choice and no one to represent the middle class

Question 4

How did access to info change?

Answer 4

• 1872 Education Act
• Increased reading and writing
• Popular press
• Railways
  • This was important in making Britain more democratic as people felt they were politically literate and about to vote
  ~However, this may be of less importance in making Britain more democratic as these changes took generations but still had a n impact of Britain democratic status