The growth of parliamentary democracy Flashcards
What % of the population could vote before the 1832 reform act?
11%
When was the catholic emancipation Act?
1829
What couldn’t catholics do before the catholic emancipation act?
Vote or be MP’s
What were the two types of boroughs?
Pocket and Rotton
What were the strengths of the parliamentary system before 1832?
It was a democratic system, most of the population was represented by an MP, MP’s were well educated and the government was strong.
What were the weaknesses of the parliamentary system before 1832?
Only 11% of the population could vote, MP’s weren’t paid a wage, areas like Manchester were unrepresented, no secret ballot, 2/3 MP’s were in the south of England.
When was the french revolution?
1789-93
What did Burke believe?
He opposed the french revolution, however he was a rich MP so he reflected the views of the minority.
What did Paine believe?
In ‘the rights of man’ he defended the revolution and believed the monarchy should be overthrown.
When was the Treason Act put into place?
1795
When were the Bristol riots?
1831
What happened in the Bristol riots?
Caused £300,000 worth of damage, 102 people were tried and 31 were executed.
Which two foreign events were a social cause of the 1832 reform act?
The American war of independence and the french revolution.
Political factors contributing to the 1832 reform act?
Newspapers and pamphlets e.g William Cobbetts political register, public opinion meant elections were based on whether candidates pushed for reform, the birmingham political union 1829, Thomas Attwood gave speeches to 200,000 people emphasising the importance of the working class
Economic factors contributing to the 1832 reform act?
Riots e.g Luddites highlighted economic problems for the poor, unrepresented middle class held power economically but not politically, slump in agriculture in the late 1820’s, corn laws meant living was expensive.
