Radical Reform In Britain 1780+ Flashcards
In the late 18th century what was the role of the monarch in government?
- Powers: selecting ministers, calling elections
* Limited: required annual consent to raise taxes, must not be a Roman Catholic
What was the role of the House of Lords in the late 18th century?
- More powerful than today
- Unelected/hereditary
- Frequently PMs selected from Lords rather than commons
Describe the House of Commons in the late 18th century
- Consisted entirely of men
- MPs not paid so had to be wealthy
- Candidates has to be electors, meant in most places had to have substantial a property (usually in form of land)
- Virtually all members representing a county seat were landed gentry
- A small number were independent country gentlemen who were only source of opposition as no need to gain government favour
Who were the Whigs?
- More likely to question power of monarch/defend power of Parliament
- More sympathetic to reform
- Mostly landowners but increasing numbers from industrial backgrounds (e.g:factory owners)
Who were the Tories?
- Defend power of monarch and CofE
- Resistant to change/reform
- Nearly all from landowning, aristocratic backgrounds
Who were the radicals?
This was a name given to supporters of Parliamentary reform in the late 18th/early 19th century.
What were some radical beliefs in the late 18th century?
Catholic emancipation
Freedom of speech and press
Universal male suffrage
(NOT ALL RADICALS HELD THESE VIEWS)
Who could vote in 1780?
214,000 voters out of 8 million (about 1/8 adult males)
Eligibility depended on where you live/huge inconsistencies
Almost always depended on property ownership (land)
What was the American Revolutionary War?
At king George III’s insistence, Britain was continuing to fight against the 13 colonies that had declared independence from the British empire in 1776. Incredibly expensive and unpopular (in parliament and the country)
What were the impacts of the American Revolution?
- Economically problematic
- Weakens image of government + monarchy
- Proved political reform was obtainable (no hereditary passing of titles, universal suffrage, written constitution establish principles of democracy)
- Made more question the injustice of taxes without a vote, rule of monarch, aristocratic parliament~idea of rebellion to lower class
What was the initial impact of the French Revolution on Britain?
Inspired radicals that change was possible. Showed reform could be achieved by popular support.
How did the impact of the French Revolution change in Britain as it progressed?
The bloodshed of ‘the Terror’ (1793+), {with guillotining aristocracy and monarchy, massacres of revolutions enemies} allowed this opposed to reform to portray change as dangerous.
What did Britain’s war with France in 1793 mean?
Radical change was argued by many as being unpatriotic
What were the Gordon Riots?
- Took place London, June 1970
- Began as anti-catholic protest but supported by protestors in opposition to war in America, lack of representation
- Riots lasted 6 days, 258 rioters killed
- Seen as sign of significant weakness.
What other events of 1780 threatened the stability of Britain?
- George III mental health
- ’Dunning’s motion’- in HoC a motion was carried, expressed concern that ‘the influence of the crown has increase and ought to be diminished’
- inequality of electorate
- hereditary politics
Who was Thomas Paine?
An influential British philosopher living in Britain and America in the second half of the 18th century. Well known for ‘Common Sense’ pamphlet, urging the American colonies to seek independence. Most famous for ‘the Rights of Man’.
What were Thomas Paine’s key ideas?
- Equality and Liberty (e.g: opposed all slavery)
- Society should be based on individual freedom
- Opposed all organised religion (but not an atheist)
- Land (private property) should be shared or those without should receive government payment
Who was Jean-Jacques Rousseau?
Highly influential Swiss-French philosopher in mid-18th century. Produced servers works including ‘The social contract’
What were Rousseau’s key ideas?
- Human beings are inherently good but corrupted by society. This limits freedom and equality
- People should act collectively, in interest of common good
- Education is essential for everyone (including women)
Who was Edmund Burke?
An MP originally aligned with the ‘Old Whigs’ ;sympathised with the American Colonies. More conservative than the ‘new whigs’. Reflections on the Revolution in France was published in 1790. Within a year he had broken with the Whigs and from 1792 aligned himself with Tories under Pitt
What were Burke’s key ideas?
- Revolutionary change always accompanied by violence
- British government is ‘stable & wise’- the ideal combination of monarchy, aristocracy and HoC
- Government derives it’s authority from custom and tradition, not from consent of governed
- Liberty needs to be restrained
- Democracy was dangerous
Describe Paine’s ‘the rights of man’
- A reply to Edmund Burke
- Inspired political radicals in Britain
- Tradition is not always a good thing
- Government should protect all citizens equally
- Rights should be introduced to improve lives of ordinary citizens- universal male suffrage, free education, welfare payments
- Aristocrats and inherited wealth shouldn’t rule the country
- Challenging political system at the time
What was the impact of ‘The rights of Man’
- The book sold cheaply and became a bestseller
- Political debate no longer limited to the properties classes- successful questioning of legitimacy of Britain’s political institutions
- Popular as working class annoyed by lack of representation and French Revolution showed ideologies possible
Why would middle class do little to challenge the system at the end of the 18th century?
- Worried about losing comfortable lifestyles
- Use to the system
- French Revolution (the Terror) scared them
