Political pressure groups Flashcards
Political pressure groups
Intro
Some historians argue that political pressure groups were the biggest factor in Britain growth of democracy. Pressure groups helped to draw the attention of the governments lack of democratic rights suffered by the working classes.
Political pressure groups
Knowledge 1 (National reform league establishment date)
For example, the national reform league was a pressure group established in 1865
Political pressure groups
Knowledge 2(National reform league member count by 18..)
national reform league saw great support from the working class growing to 65,000 members by 1867
Political pressure groups
Knowledge 3(Actions of the national reform league)
the group pressurized the government by holding riots and marches held in and around Hyde Park
Political pressure groups
Analysis
these tactics would eventually find success, with the government passing the 1867 reform act that saw the franchise increase, as well as improvements to fairness within the government.
Political pressure groups
Counter Analysis
However, some historians argue that the acts that the national reform league pressurized the government into passing had little effect on the representation of the working class in government.
Political pressure groups
Evaluation
To evaluate, while political pressure groups are defiantly an important part of Britain’s journey to democracy and did get important legislation passed in favour of democracy. It is clear that without the support of the working classes this would have not been possible. The working classes were thanks to newly evolved urban industrialised areas that was seen with Britian’s industrial revolution, this there by shows that without the industrial revolution, political pressure groups such as the National reform League would have not had success. Which there by proves that the industrial revolution was a greater factor to democracy than that of political pressure groups.
