Power And The People Flashcards
What was the Magna Carta
A charter of demands given to King John by the barons after his over-use of scutage tax, dispute with church, and loss in battle with France
What was the short-term significance of the Magna Carta
Triggered civil war when King John did not follow it, lessened the kings power as people felt more encouraged to stand against him
What was the long-term significance of the Magna Carta?
Barons now could closely advice King Henry, shaping his ruling style and the style of the following kings. “No free man shall be seized or imprisoned.”- corner stone of justice system and modern society.
Who was Simon de Montfort
Leader of rebellion against Henry III, “father of parliament”
Why was Simon de Montfort significant in the short term?
Simon de Montfort led a rebellion against Henry III. Due to him, discussions with commons about tax happened.
Why was Simon de Montfort significant in the long term?
Even though his parliament was disbanded, he set a precedent for it and put the idea in people’s heads. He also inspired many other rebels in the future.
What were the Provisions of Oxford
Demands put forward by Simon de Montfort and the barons that the king had to accept.
What was the short term significance of the provisions of Oxford
Got rid of foreign advisors, reinforced Magna Carta, ended personal rule
What were the long term significance of the provisions of Oxford
Even though the demands were ignored over time, they reinforced the idea that people could rebel and that parliament could have power over the king.
What was the Peasant’s Revolt
An uprising led by Wat Tyler (and John Ball), mostly triggered by poll tax.
What was the short term significance of the Peasant’s Revolt?
Very little- the leaders were killed and King Richard II ignored their demands.
What was the long term significance of the Peasant’s revolt?
Struck fear into the ruling classes- so landowners freed villeins to prevent rebellion. John Ball’s ideas were picked up again by the levellers in the 17th century. Link to 1989 poll tax riots.
What was the pilgrimage of Grace
A rebellion led by Robert Aske, sparked by the dissolution of the monasteries
How was the pilgrimage of Grace significant in the short term?
After beating the rebels, HenryVIII enacted the chanegs they were opposed to even faster, closing all monasteries and changing religious services.
How was the pilgrimage of Grace significant in the long term?
People were scared to rebel, as HenryVIII had proved that the monarchy could squash an uprising easily. There were no more major rebellions until the English Civil War.
What was the English Civil War
A rebellion against King Charles I due to a more catholic prayer book, tax raises and ruling without parliament for 11 years
What was the short term significance of the English Civil War?
Huge change- Charles was put to death for treason, Cromwell was made ruler of England
What was the long term significance of the English Civil War?
Questioned the divine right of Kings, made people wary of politics and military power meeting, and changed the way monarchs would rule- they made sure to involve parliament.
What was the New Model Army
A military force under Cromwell
What was the short term significance of the New Model Army?
They won the English Civil War for Cromwell, which had long term consequences
What was the long term significance of the New Model Army?
Changed the way armies were organised evermore- they were payed well, trained well, given equipment and given ranks based on skill
What was Charles I’s execution
When Charles I was executed for treason because of the unpopular ruling choices he made.
What was the short term significance of Charles I’s execution?
Meant that the Commonwealth was established, Cromwell ruled, and there was no monarchy for 11 years until 1660.
What was the long term significance of Charles I’s execution?
Implied that a king could be a traitor to his own country, meant that future kings listened to public opinion and parliament more.
Who was Oliver Cromwell?
A rebel who led the New Model Army against Charles I and won. He became Lord Protector of England.
What was the short term significance of Oliver Cromwell
He enforced strict puritanical laws on the country and ruled for 11 years as king in all but name.
What was the long term significance of Oliver Cromwell?
He changed the way armies are, changed the way kings rule and still divides public opinion- was he a regicidal dictator or a brave rebel?
What was the American Revolution?
American Revolutionaries wanted “no taxation without representation” in british parliament- and when this wasn’t happening, wanted independence
What was the short term significance of the American Revolution
Massive- America stopped being a part of the empire, and become an independent nation. Britain lost troops, but gained a valuable trade partner
What was the long term significance of the American Revolution
Inspired other revolutions and radicals demanding change. eg french revolution. Re-affirmed belief in democracy, personal freedom and human rights.
What was the Declaration of Independence
A statement declaring that the american colonies considered themselves independent to Britain.
What was the short term significance of the Declaration of Independence?
Britain did not want to give up their colonies without a fight- sparked the war of independence
What was the long term significance of the Declaration of Independence
It inspired other revolutionaries in the future, serves as a founding stone for the US.
What was the Great Reform act?
A bill aimed to create a fair political system- created 67 new constituencies, disenfranchised 56 boroughs, broadened voting qualifications
What was the short term significance of the Great Reform Act?
Created uniform franchise within boroughs, increased political agitation
What was the long term significance of the Great Reform Act?
Inspired the Chartists, set the ball rolling for further rights eg. women’s suffrage
What was the People’s Charter?
6 demands for a fair political system = vote for all men over 21, secret ballot, equal electoral districts, no property qualifications to be MP, payed MPs, annual parliaments
What was the short term significance of the People’s Charter
Very little- seemed to have failed because the movements was divided at heart and repressed by the government
What was the long term significance of the People’s charter
By 50 years later, all the points of the charter except annual parliament had been conceded. The chartists opened the dialogue for it to happen
Who were Thomas Clarkson and the Abolitionists?
Campaigners looking to abolish slavery, Clarkson organised meeting and gathered hard facts by collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses and going aboard slave ships. Other abolitionists gave speeches, newspapers and sold merchandise, boycotts of slave sugar
What was the short term significance of Thomas Clarkson and the Abolitionists
Resolutions were raised in parliament multiple times but blocked by MPs who had ties with the slave trade. Eventually, in 1807, slavery became illegal
What was the long term significance of Thomas Clarkson and the Abolitionists
By 1833 slavery was abolished throughout the British Empire, and other countries were inspired to follow suit
What was the Anti-Corn Law League
A league devoted to repealing the Corn Laws, which placed taxes on imported corn, keeping foreign corn out of the country so that british farmers could keep corn prices artificially high
What was the short term significance of the Anti-Corn Law League
Gathered support from both factory owners and factory workers. Eventually got the corn laws repealed after the Irish Potator Famine
What was the long term significance of the Anti-Corn Law League
Opened dialogue about free trade v protectionism
Who was Lord Shaftesbury
A dedicated reformer who introduced the Ten Hours Bill for children under nine, and the Mines and Collieries Act that prohibited the employment of women and children.
What was the short term significance of Lord Shaftesbury
Big- did lots to aid suffering, especially by helping children. Likely thousands of children were aided by Shaftesbury.
What was the long term significance of Lord Shaftesbury
Opened up a dialogue of how workers should be treated and whether child labour is appropriate.
Who were the 19th century Trade Unions
Gatherings of workers looking to protect rights- eg Annie Besant and the matchgirls, the Tolpuddle Martyrs, London Gas Workers
What was the short term significance of the 19th century Trade Unions
Inspired employer and government pressure to stop, lead to the formation of the Labour Party
What was the long term significance of the 19th century Trade Unions
Labour Party (and all their future activities), better working conditions (eg match factories) etc.
Who were the women’s suffrage societies
Groups of people (not necessarily just women) campaigning for votes of women
What was the short term significance of the women’s suffrage societies
Not much, they met great opposition.
What was the long term significance of the women’s suffrage societies
Set the ball rolling; inspired the suffragettes
Who were the suffragettes
A militant group (WSPU) campaigning for women’s suffrage
What was the short term significance of the suffragettes
Not much, the outbreak of the great war halted the movements as they suspended their political activity to aid the war effort
What was the long term significance of the suffragettes
They got the vote for women and set the ball in motion for women’s rights (eg. equal pay)
What was the 1926 General Strike
The Triple Alliance of coal miners, railway workers and transport workers went on strike hoping for better pay and working conditions
What was the short term significance of the 1926 General Strike
Very little, the government had had time to prepare and used volunteers and the military to carry on strikers jobs. Eventually the Trades Union Comgress ordered strikers back to work with no concessions/
What was the long term signifcance of the 1926 General Strike
Reinforced the solidarity among the working class, possibly inspired the striking miners of 1984
What was the 1984 miners strike?
The Miner’s union, led by Arthur Scargill, attempted to strike against Thatcher’s attempts to reduce union power and limit the power of the coal industry
What was the short term significance of the 1984 Miners’ Strike
Little, Thatcher had stockpiled coal and switched power plants to gas and oil. The strike eventually ended and Thatcher won.
What was the long term significance of the 1984 miners strike
Trade Unions would never again be more than pressure groups- their power was greatly diminished. Employers can still enforce zero hours contracts and workers no longer HAVE to join a union.
What were the Brixton Riots?
Riots that broke out after tension between the Brixton community due and the met. police due to the stop-and-search tactics police used and their racism.
What was the short term significance of the Brixton Riots
Little, the Scarman Report found the met. police inherently racist, but the government chose to ignore it. The MacPhereson report in 1999 after the death of Stephen Lawrence concluded that the met. police were still racist and not much had changed.
What was the long term significance of the Brixton Riots
This was under 40 years ago… still short term :/ lingering racial tension after riots. Brought met. police racism into the public eye.
