part 3: reform and reformers- the extension of the franchise Flashcards
what were rotten boroughs?
areas that sent two MP’s to parliament even though no one lived there
what were pocket boroughs?
boroughs controlled by rich individuals who did not represent everyone’s needs
what was a secret ballot?
people had to say in public who they were voting for
what was a potwalloper borough?
people that could vote because they had a fireplace and a locked door
what were the 6 acts?
any meeting of more than 50 people for radical reform was an act of treason
in the early 19th century who controlled the country?
the king and those who owned land and titles
what was used to prove people had a fireplace and a locked door?
men would rattle their keys on top of a cooking pot
when was the gathering in St Peter’s Fields?
in 1819
what was the St Peter’s Fields gathering like?
a peaceful protest where the 60000 protestors listened to speeches by radicals such as Henry Hunt
what did the local magistrate do when they were informed of the gathering at St Peter’s Fields?
they called the local militia in- the militia were drunk
what did the local militia do?
within 10 minutes, 600 people were wounded and 15 were killed
what was the gathering at St Peter’s Fields known as?
the Peterloo Massacre
when did the government introduce the 6 acts?
after the Peterloo Massacre
what were the problems with Britain’s electoral system?
no secret ballot
people could easily be bribed into voting for something
some people were sacked if they did not vote for the right candidate
women were not allowed to vote
which political party were in power in the early 19th century?
the Tory party who were against reform
when were the Tory party voted out of government?
1830
who were the Tory party replaced by?
the Whig party led by Earl Grey
who replaced King George IV in 1830?
King William IV
who formed the Birmingham Political Union of the Lower and Middle Classes of People in 1829?
Thomas Attwood
what did Attwood do?
along with 8000 others, they sent a petition to Parliament for reform
what did Attwood and 8000 others want?
shorter parliaments
the end of property qualifications
a vote for all men who contributed to local or national taxes
what was the union renamed as?
Birmingham Political Union (BPU)
how many times did Earl Grey’s Whig party try to pass laws for a reform act?
3 times
why did the House of Lords not pass the reform act?
the House of Lords is full of barons and nobles, meaning that they did not want to pass an act that would give more power to the ordinary people by having them represented in Parliament
what did Earl Grey do on the 3rd attempt?
he went to the king and requested that Lords be appointed who were Whigs or at least sympathetic to reform
what did the existing lords think about Earl Grey’s 3rd attempt?
they were horrified at the idea because it meant that the Tory lords would lose some of the power to the Whigs
when did the Great Reform Act get passed?
1832
who did well out of the Great Reform Act?
middle class- merchants and industrialists gained more representation and were happier that their interests were being considered