How significant were the changes of the Great Reform Act? Flashcards
What had happened to rotten boroughs?
Although rotten boroughs disappeared, constituencies could still vary greatly in size. Some boroughs of 300 voters still existed, alongside those of 11,000 voters.
What remained a difference between the north and the south?
There were still far more MPs in the agricultural South than the industrialised North
Wales, Scotland and Ireland were still under-represented compared to England.
How did the electorate change?
Electorate increased: almost doubled from 478,000 to 813,000
What did the act allow?
The act only allowed a small percentage of the population to vote. Large sectors of the population still could not vote- the working classes in both the countryside and the towns.
What remained that meant corruption stayed?
No secret ballot- corruption still occurred.
What was good about the GRA?
It was the first refrom and led to further reforms, not only parliamentary but also other areas as it was now known that reform was possible.
What continued even after the GRA?
Many pocket boroughs still survived.
What did the Act increase?
The number of businessmen and industrialists in the Commons.
What did the disappearance of rotten boroughs mean?
Reduced the crown’s influence in politics.
What did new registers of voters mean?
Led to a strengthening of the party system as parties began to organise themselves by keeping the electoral roll up-to-date to maximise their support.
