Reform and Challenge, 1851-1886: The Political System; (complete) Flashcards
Why were there political problems for the 2 main parties, Tories and Whigs in the 1850s?
The Tory party had been split by the repeal of the Corn Laws, 1846. ‘Peelites’ who supported the repeal broke away from main party, formed their own in parliament. Asa Briggs- ‘the split was so severe that the tories were doomed to be a parliamentary minority’
What insured the Tories’ future successes, despite all their difficulties?
-Their flexibility
-Strong but opposing characters of two key figures of party- Disraeli and Derby
What was the impact of the first Parliamentary Reform Act, 1832?
-Strengthened the concept of representative government
-Political system more democratic (but progress at the time was small,slow)
-Weakened political power of monarch + traditional ruling elites, landowning aristocracy.
-Continuing creation of wealth + growth of prosperity in GB via industrialisation= grad. Increase of electorate size , more men meet property requirements to qualify for the franchise (right to vote)
What made Britain a constitutional monarchy?
-Bill of Rights, 1689; establishes principle of supremacy of parliament over monarch.
-Position of monarchy was based on established traditions + political habits, not power clearly defined in a written constitution.
-Monarch was head of state but left making + passing of laws to Parliament, couldn’t impose his/her will directly. Every piece of legislation still required consent of the monarch , gov carried on by ministers in monarchs name, but business of the gov remained mostly without monarchs interference.
What were the 2 Houses of Parliament?
House of Lords (unelected hereditary peers)
House of Commons (elected representatives)
How was there democracy in the mid 19th century parliament?
Power + influence of the parliament as the instigator of government policy was strengthening, replacing that of the monarch. There was increasing influence of the House of Commons over the House of Lords- who could block measures passed by the Commons.
Commons members were elected through parliamentary elections, held at least every 7 years.
Cabinet- government led by PM and group of ministers
How did the Commons still reflect the dominance of the Lords?
Most MPs in the commons were younger sons, relatives or friends of the aristocrats in the House of Lords.
What did the 1832 Parliamentary Reform Act do and what was its impact?
Extended franchise to middle-class men, some of who became MPs. Before industrialisation effects bought economic benefits, the relatively small middle class accepted the power/ authority the aristocracy had. However, as they grew in number and more enjoyed wealth & prosperity they helped to create, they thought they had a right for a share in the power and weren’t best served by the aristocracy.
Growing centres of population like Birmingham and Manchester were represented in parliament for the first time. Small boroughs with declining populations lost seats
Landed aristocracy no longer had monopoly of power, had to share it
How did parliamentary constituencies disadvantage the middle classes?
Were uneven in size, so large industrial towns= severely under-represented. Divided into borough and constituencies, each with different voting qualifications, each 2 MPs. Landed elite controlled most of County constituencies.
What percentage of MPs had no connection to the aristocracy/ landed gentry by the 1850s and why?
Only 25%
It was difficult for majority of middle class men to sit alongside upper classes, it was still a rich mans job to be an MP- they weren’t paid and running costs were about £500 a year + election expenses.
Historian Edward Royle- “Being an MP was still a part-time activity for gentlemen.”
What were the parliamentary reforms/lack of during the 1850s?
-1858: abolition of qualification (annual £300 income) to stand as a parliamentary candidate.
-Several other reform bills fail during 1850s, failed partly due to lack of public pressure on government + middle classes were enjoying a period of prosperity, were generally satisfied with parliamentary system
-Working classes excluded from parliamentary reform, their movement for extended franchise (Chartism) failed in the 1840s
-Still only men with property could vote, 1/6 of male population
-Women played no part in political progress
Many believed there was no need for further political reform
What was political reform like by 1886?
-Social background of MPs widened steadily, by 1886 2/3 MPs in commons were drawn from industry, commerce and professions. Represented new industrial wealth of GB
-Most part the MPs voted for Whigs so form majority govs during this period vs. Conservatives who had short-term minority govs
-Reform strengthened House of Commons; gradually able to impose its will on Lords/monarch, opened way for parliamentary reform (didn’t occur until 1867)
Who were the British ruling elites and how did they have power?
-Predominantly members of old aristocrat families- hereditary titles like Duke, Earl, Viscount, etc, bestowed upon them for services to monarch or country.
- Small, powerful wealthy and belonged to relatively closed society linked through blood, marriage and maintaining political dominance.
-Their power, wealth + dominance came from ownership of land which until 1832 reform act they used to control nominations for the House of Commons.
- In parliament they looked after their own interests and for political advancement
How did members of the aristocracy/land owning elite get wealth and maintain their power?
From land + became even more wealthy by 19th century due to agricultural improvements, increased demand for mineral deposits found on their land. Continued to control political, economic and social activity. Their monopoly of power had been breached but their position in the counties had strengthened, still had influence over elections
They could evict people who didn’t vote for their preferred candidate as elections were on public hustings, bribery was also prevalent & permitted.
Middle class acquiescence allowed them to maintain their position as they were content and didn’t want further democracy.
What did the 1850s/60s represent in terms of politics?
Period of great prosperity for GB, but also political instability. Series of short-lived governments and 5 different PMs
Who was in government in 1851 and why was there a lack of support?
Lord John Russells Whig governments final year. Didn’t have a majority in parliament but survived 6 years with support from the Peelites. Russell was seen as weak + ineffective, devoted to ideals of political & social reform, unable to inspire followers. Persisted in wanting to extend religious tolerance to Jews, Roman Catholics and Dissenters, made him unpopular with more conservative Whigs.
Upset supporters with series of poor judgements
Thought franchise should be extended to some working class?
What were governments like following the fall of Lord Russell in 1852?
Governments followed in quick succession. Conservative Lord Derby formed minority government which lasted only months.
Lord Aberdeen followed, led coalition of Whigs and Peelites. He had a strong cabinet with reforming programme - proposed measures for education, religious tolerance, parliamentary reform, etc.
What did Gladstone introduce as Chancellor of the Exchequer under Lord Aberdeen? (1852-5)?
Free trade budget
What was the impact of the Crimean War (1854-56) on government?
Put reforms on hold
Disastrous conduct of war brought Aberdeens government down
Who replaced Aberdeen in 1855 and why did they gain and subsequently lose support?
71 year old Lord Palmerston, concentrated on foreign affairs, patriotism and promoting British interest abroad.
Won popular support, some due to his manipulation of press, and making Treaty of Paris (1856-ended Crimean War) appear a success
Defeated in 1858 on issue of confidence of his handling of response to a plot assassinate French Emperor, Napoleon III.
Who then became PM and who was his spokesman?
Lord Derby, minority. Disraeli= his spokesman in the Commons & Leader of the House
What did this government abolish in 1858?
Property qualification required to stand as an MP- opened the way for men of few means to stand for parliament.
Allowed Jews to sit in parliament
What happened to the government and who replaced it?
Was weak and collapsed within 15 months.
Palmerston created new gov in 1859- generally accepted as first liberal gov. He refused to contemplate reform.
What did Gladstone do as chancellor of the exchequer under Lord Palmerston?
Tidied up the loose ends on free trade
Which people were in power from 1865-1868?
Russel 1865-6, largely Liberal gov, introduced reform bill proposing wider franchise. Resigned when it was defeated by the right-wing of his own party
Derby 1866-68 Conservative, introduced Second Reform Act (one of the most important legislation of the era) Ill health forced his resignation
How did Disraeli get into power?
Was nominated by Derby. Supported by Queen Victoria, lost the 1868 election after 278 days in office & resigned immediately. This set a precedent by responding to the will of the electorate; indicative of developing modern political system where power of political parties rested in the people.
What were political parties like in the 1850s?
-Loose organisations
-MPs= unpaid, until 1858 needed reasonable or private means to be eligible to stand as candidate
-Selection was more to do with who they knew rather than political talent
-Absence of central political organisation= little control over various groups
-No compunction to contest seats at election; MPs act independently from party—> political instability
What were the 5 identifiable political groups in Parliament in 1851?
Conservatives split into 2 :
-Protectionists (against Corn Law repeal) led by Derby & Disraeli
-Peelites (free traders) led by Aberdeen & Gladstone
-Whigs/liberals led by Russel & Palmerston
-Radicals, led by Richard Cobden & John Bright
-105 Irish MPs, support split between which party conceded to their demands
How did the Conservatives try to rebuild their party + did it work?
Had to abandon protectionism in favour of free trade + attract industry & commerce
Failed to win back support of peelites
Showing in elections wasn’t convincing, led to ineffective minority gov
How did the Liberal Party emerge?
Whig + liberal + radical + peelites came to agreement to achieve a stable government in 1859
Although personal differences/political backgrounds divided them, they had increasingly similar aims; like removing minority Conservative administration led by Lord Derby. Meeting held by key members in London to come together under banner of Liberal Party
June 10th 1859; vote of no confidence of conservatives in commons & true first Liberal gov take office, PM= Palmerston, Chancellor of Exchequer= Gladstone
