Political History Flashcards
What was wrong with the voting system in the 1820s? (know at least 4)
-constituencies with a small number of voters were able to elect an MP, the choice of MP was usually in the hands of one person or family.
-small villages had multiple MPs but big cites like Manchester had none
-MPs are not paid so only rich people can become MPs
-nobody under 18 could vote
-only men could vote and be MPs
-voting wasn’t secret
-threats and bribes were use to make people vote for a certain person
-only people with a certain amount of wealth and money could vote
What is a constituency?
a group of voters in an area who elect a representative
What happened in Manchester in August 1819?
-around 50,000 people arrived for a large working class meeting to protest against the political system in St Peter’s Fields
-Henry Hunt as due to make a speech calling for the reform of Parliament
-the army were sent to prevent any disturbances
-when Hunt began to speak the army attempted to arrest him and attacked anybody who got in their way
What is the name of the event during the meeting in Manchester at St Peter’s Fields in August 1819?
The Peterloo Massacre
What were the consequences of the Peterloo Massacre?
-11 people died
-400 people injured
-Henry Hunt was sentenced to over 2 years in prison
-the government banned meeting of more than 50 people at any one time
-tax on newspapers was increased so working class people couldn’t afford to read them and they would be less likely to publish negative things about the government
What is Chartism?
the first working-class movement for political reform
Who is a moral force chartist?
Someone who is strongly opposed to doing any of the methods that would result in violence to get the vote
Who is a physical force chartist?
Someone who is willing to die for the vote and lead people to death or glory. They use extreme violence
What were the positives of the 1832 Reform Act?
-men who owned property of at least £10 could vote
-around 20% of adult men could vote
-some tiny constituencies were abolished and the bigger ones gained MPs
What were the negatives of the 1832 Reform Act?
-working class men still couldn’t vote
-80% of adult men couldn’t vote
-women couldn’t vote
Why did women wan’t life in Britain to change?
Because they wanted to have a life with equal rights as men and they didn’t want to be stereotyped.
Who were the suffragists?
-those involved in the campaign for women’s votes
-believed peaceful methods were effective
Who were the suffragists also known as?
National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies
Who was the leader of the suffragists?
Millicent Fawcett
What were the methods that the suffragists used?
-petitions
-marches
-posters
-speeches
-letters
