parliamentary reform- why did demands for reform return in 1830? Flashcards
The collapse of the Tories
after the death of the longest serving Tories prime minister, Lord Liverpool, the party descended to a downwards spiral. Other prime ministers such as George canning, who died, Lord Goderich (failed to lead properly) and with the most talented Tories simply not up for the top job, such as Robert Peel, the party was left in the hands of the Duke of Wellington. Wellington credited with the defeat of Napoleon but was not adept at subtle management skills required in politics and so the Tories became chaos with rivalry increasing between fractions.
- this rivalry was between the traditionalist ‘high Tories’ and the more moderate forward thinking Tories referred to as ‘Canningites’. Divisions became irreparable with the issue of Catholic Emancipation which was passed by wellington despite the opposition of the high Tories.
Death of George IV
The prince of wales was legendary for his unpopular extravagant lifestyle of debts and affairs. Acceded the throne in 1820s and meddled in politics-was in favour of the conservatives
-died in June 1830 and was succeeded by his brother who was more down to earth, less conservative and less concerned about imposing his will in politics. It also mean that a general election had to take place according to electoral rules that no longer apply.
Economic
The economy after the war was left with high prices caused by a series of poor harvests between 1816-1819 and employment shortages that was provoked by a surplus of labour and a collapse in demand. there had been improvements at the start of the 1820s but poor harvest between 1829 and 1831 led to a sharp decline in the state of the economy.
The rise of the whigs
Whigs increasingly appeared to offer alternatives for the first time. Led by Earl Grey, the party attracted some of the more moderate Tories like Goderich, and had greater electoral success in 1830. Tories had to small a majority to retain power for long arguments over parliamentary reform in November 1830 and Grey was invited by the King to form a ministry.
Popular unrest
Economic decline between 1815-1819 was accompanied by series of popular disturbances. The Peterloo massacre, The Luddites and The march of the Blanketeers and the Cato street conspiracy. The downturn after 1829 accompanied by further unrest such as a series of riots in rural areas known as the Swing Movement and increasingly organised and militant demands for parliamentary reform such as the Bull riots in Birmingham.
Revolution in France
In 1830 the new monarch Charles X was overthrown by the ‘July Revolution’ which resulted in a far less powerful rule under his cousin. this resurrected fears amongst the British ruling class of a possible revolution on the other side of the English channel.
1829 Roman Catholic Relief Act (Catholic Emancipation)
In the 1820s there was a well-organised campaign in Ireland led by Daniel O’Connell for Catholics to be given full political rights. Attracted huge support amongst the Catholic population, the strength of which was increasingly evident in the press, in protests and at elections- O’Connell was elected in 1828 and 1820 as an MP despite the fact tat he could not take up his seats.
- Sensing problems for the Tories, the Whigs, were always more tolerant to religious diversity and sought to exploit the situation in parliament by expressing sympathy with the idea of emancipation.
- Fearing a full scale rebellion in Ireland the Try govt hurriedly passed the Catholic Emancipation Act. Many Tory ‘ultras’ never forgave the prime minister Wellington or the Tory leader in the Common Robert Peel and accused them of betrayal for reversing their positions.
- For many Catholics the emancipation was regarded as a key turning point in the struggle for parliamentary reform
1. This split the Tory party making it impossible for them to form a government
2. Proved that it was possible to force govt to reverse its position on the acceptability of reform.
3. It provided a model for how to achieve this through political agitation and protest.
Political Unions
Birmingham Political Union (BPU) formed in 1829 by Thomas Attwood- Attwood was in contact with O’Connell and was keen to replicate the successes of the emancipation. Believed that reform could be achieved through ‘general political union of lower and middle class of the people’.
-BPU became most notable political society in the country. In January 1830 it was attended by more than 15000 people and by May 1832 by over 100,000 people more than a quarter of whom were fully paid members.
- Many other unions were notably middle class comprised of merchants, lawyers and businessmen but mostly disagreed on the kind of reform they wished for.
- The Metropolitan Political Union led by Henry Hunt in London members were mainly artisans and craftsmen.
- Rivalled by National Political Union set up by Francis Place a tailor from Charing Cross who wanted minimal reform just improvement in representation of manufacturing districts.
- National Union of Working Class set up by William Lovett and Henry Hetherington aimed to secure universal male suffrage.
-political unions had a weakness but they focused public attention on the issue fuelling support for parliamentary reform and demonstrated the potential power of enthusiastic and active protest which is conduced within the law. Their organisational capacity and extent of their support were not lost on the upper class in and beyond parliament for whom fear of a revolution remained.
