Power and the People Flashcards
Significance questions
Explain the short term significance of the Magna Carta - (1215)
Short term - not a success
The magna carta is significant in the development of rights of British people because it was the first time the king of England agreed that he didn’t have total power. For example the barons made John swear that the people had to agree to taxes before the king took taxes off people.
This was significant, as the king couldn’t just do what he wanted to anymore, he had to make sure that he had the support of the barons when it came to collecting taxes. Therefore, more British people had a say for the first time on how the country was run.
However, overall in the short term the magna carta benefitted the nobility far more than the ordinary people.
Explain the long term significance of the Magna Carta - (1215)
Long term - success!
In the long term. the magna carta was success as it helped pave the way for democracy in Britain. Now, the king had to obey laws and the people had greater rights.
The magna carta also inspired other movements in Britain to improve rights in Britain.
During the middle ages, Kings reissued the magna carta, in 1265 Simon De Montfort confirmed the magna carta and the provisions of oxford in 1258. Also, levellers like John Lilburne referred to the charter in the C17th.
Explain the short term significance of Simon De Montfort for the development of a democratic development
Short term
In the short term, SDM was responsible for inviting ‘commoners’ to parliament for the first time in January 1265.
He also reissued to magna carta in 1265. But the Battle of Evesham, was a clear victory for the royalists and after Simons death, the rebellions faded away and the rebels were punished.
Despite this there was an impact in the short term. Subsequent kings e.g Henry III and Edward both felt obliged to summon the commoners to parliament to get their approval for taxes. For example, when Edward needed money to fight the Scots and welsh, he called parliament to raise the funds rather than demanding them from barons. In 1295, he called the Model Parliament which most resembles Parliament today. However, change was still needed, and these ‘commoners’ were still seen as the elite of society and voting was still in secret.
Hence, SMD is seen as the ‘father of parliament’.
Explain the long term significance of Simon De Montfort for the development of a democratic government
Long term
The challenge to the control of kings that SMD introduced clearly erupted further in the English civil war in the battle between parliamentarians vs royalists. The impact of this was the execution of King Charles, resulting to the parliament having more power than the monarch in 1688.
Clearly, SDM was influential in the idea that ‘the common man’ should have a voice in politics. His original ideas developed over time. Commoners power began to grow and eventually the House of Commons was created. Women however had to wait long to have their voices heard in parliamentary politics.
Explain the short term significance of the Peasants Revolt - (1381)
Short term
In the short term, the peasant revolt failed; the leaders were killed and the king went back on his promises.
However, there is some evidence that the revolt created fear amongst landowners, which is why they started to free villains to try prevent future rebellions.
Also, this was clearly an unusual challenge to the King’ authority as it was a challenge by peasants rather than barons. Taxes were not increased which shows that the revolt did have an impact. Parliament also eventually stopped controlling peasants wages.
Explain the long term significance of the Peasants Revolt - (1381)
The Peasants revolt was the first time the peasants formally rebelled. This inspired future protests:
The ideas of John Ball was picked up by different groups in the future. For example , in the 17th century the Levellers used his “When Adam delved and Eve span, Who was then the gentleman?”, as a slogan as other socialists in the 19th century and beyond, like the Chartists.
600 years later in the poll tax riots in 1989, the protestors deliberately chose their route through London to follow the Peasants Revolt route.
There are many streets and schools in south-east England named after Watt Tyler, which suggest people see him as being significant for equality.
Explain the short term significance of Pilgrimage of Grace - (1536)
Short term - a failure
40,000 people had been involved - then largest, popular rebellion faced by a Tudor monarch. However, Henry had faced the rebels (Aske was killed in 1537 and 200 others were executed) and there was not enough support to renew the pilgrimage after it became clear that Henry was not sticking to his promises.
Also it was a failure as:
Henry remained the head of the church - 1534 Act of Supremacy
Dissolution of monasteries continued - Henry used the money to develop the royal navy.
Attacks on catholic practises were sustained e.g worshiping of saints.
It becomes treason to criticise Henry’s policies - Thomas More, the chancellor, was executed for this.
Explain the long term significance of Pilgrimage of Grace - (1536)
Long term - A positive?
The Parliament of York that Henry had promises, never happened, but the council of the north was revived and included some pilgrims. He increased the power of loyal families and secured the border with Scotland.
Religious rollercoaster begins upon Henry’s death, his son Edward VI continues the reformation.
Mary I returns to Catholicism before Elizabeth becomes queen and makes England protestant for good. England subject to threat of catholic powers. e.g Spanish Armada.
Today, England remains protestant and King Charles III is the governor of the Church.
Explain the short term significance of the execution of Charles I - (1649)
Short term
The first time a monarch had been put on trial for treason. Monarchy was abolished and the ‘Commonwealth’ was set up. This wasn’t very effective as no one could agree on any laws.
Oliver Cromwell (leader of
parliamentarians) became ‘Lord Protector’, however many argued this wasn’t much different then being king.
Negatives: He made a lot of changes e.g puritan laws like banning religious celebrations, swearing, dancing and theatre. Also treats the Irish badly - Drogheda massacre.
Positives: Invited Jews to Britain, invested in the navy and army, treaties.
In 1660, Charles I son, Charles II was restored for being king.
Explain the long term significance of the execution of Charles I - (1649)
Long term
Parliament had met more regularly and the idea that the king was at the top of the ‘Feudal System’ was gone. The monarchy was removed and a Commonwealth was put in its place. The idea of the Divine Rights Of Kings was over, and although the monarch was restored, its power would steadily decline until what it is today.
Oliver Cromwell had a divided opinion over him as some saw him as a class warrior who fought for political freedom whereas others see him as a military dictator.
We still have a monarch today, but they are not allowed to enter the House of Commons as it should be the domain of those elected.
Explain the short term significance of the American Revolution - (1776-83)
Short term
This was the first time a colony deliberately rejected rule by a European country. This led to an increased belief in democracy, freedom and basic human rights.
The American revolution inspired other people to fight against authority, such as the French Revolution where the French went against Louis XVI and later on for the workers in the Industrial Revolution in Britain.
The Americans had defeated the most powerful country in the world at the time and they could now set up their own system of government, which they wanted with a constitution, a parliament or congress and a president as head of state to replace the King of England.
However, its crucial to understand that Britain was not financially ruined by the loss of America and used Australia and New Zealand as new penal colonies.
Explain the long term significance of the American Revolution - (1776-83)
Long term
System of government still exists today.
By the 20th century, America had developed into the most powerful country in the world. The success of the revolution revealed the importance of democracy, freedom and basic human rights.
The American Revolution was also significant because it gave representation to many American white labourers and started the idea that Women and African Americans should have more rights and freedom.
Explain the short term significance of The Great Reform Act - (1832)
Short term
Earl Grey’s Whig government had successfully threated the House of Lords to pass the act.
The middle class had benefitted through the passing of this act as they now earned £150 a year and now could vote. The number of votes had increased from 435,000 to 652,000.
Merchants and industrialists were two specific groups who also benefited. Some small landowners and shopkeepers had the vote.
Rotten boroughs were removed and new towns like Birmingham were allowed to elect MPs - 56 boroughs were removed and 67 new constituencies were created.
However, most working class men only earned £50 a year and didn’t have the vote - only one in seven men had the vote, so the voting system was not democratic.
Voting was still publicly done until 1872, so voters were still subject to bribery.
The Act referred specifically to Male Suffrage, which meant it was forbidden for women to vote.
Explain the long term significance of The Great Reform Act - (1832)
Long term
Political agitation increased after the passing of the act as the working class began demanding for political reform as the Reform Act didn’t address their grievances.
This is clear in the rise of working class movements such as The Chartists who demanded for all men over 21 to have the vote. There were also female chartists like Anne Knight who campaigned for female suffrage.
The act had reduced power of the landowning class. The middle class now had political influence which led to change e.g The Anti Corn League in 1833.
Explain the short term significance of early 19th century social reform movements
Short term - Legislation was passed due to these campaign groups and reformers.
Abolition Act of Slavery 1833
The act only initially freed slaves under 6, whilst the rest were put in age categories and promised freedom in 4 years (many criticised and felt this was unfair and unjust).
Slave smuggling became an issue (conditions were vey bad as they were not regulated) Former slaves now had to compete for paid work yet awful conditions continued.
The Corn Laws were repealed in1846
This was by Robert Peel who was forced to resign over this. The league showed that landowning classes could be challenged which led to more protection of the working class in the future years.
The Factory Act in1833
No children under 9 could work in factories and children un der 13 had to attend school for 2 hours per day. However, the act didn’t cater for all work places and also lead to the Poor Law Amendment in 1834 which placed some workers in workhouses.
Michael Sadler MP supported the 10 hour movements - suggested that 10 hours should be the maximum hours per day for 18s and under.
Lord Shaftsbury supported the Mines Act in 1842; women and children under 10 no longer allowed to work underground.
