The Growth of Parliamentary Democracy: Unreformed Parliament Flashcards

1
Q

Who could vote in the counties?

A

Freeholders with property worth 40 shillings a year

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2
Q

What were the main voting systems in boroughs?

A

Freeman, Scot & Lot, Burgage, Freeholder, Potwalloper

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3
Q

Bedford had _____ members and 2 MPs, while Yorkshire had _____ and still only 2 MPs

A

2,000 & 20,000

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4
Q

In 1780 there were only 2 contested elections because?

A

The most powerful families usually bribed/forced vote

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5
Q

What were Pocket Boroughs? ( + eg.)

A

Small borough easily manipulated by wealthy families, eg. Gatton, Surrey- bought at auction for £90,000

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6
Q

Only _% of the male population could take part in an election

A

11

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7
Q

What were Rotten Boroughs ( + eg.)

A

Small areas with high representation, eg. Dunwich, Suffolk, had 14 voters and 2 MPs

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8
Q

What was the population of Manchester and how many representatives did they have in 1832?

A

182,000 and no MPS

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9
Q

How was reform promoted?

A

Leaflets and pamphlets (from 1780 onwards)

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10
Q

When were the Gordon Riots and why did they undermine reform?

A

1780, they were violent and anti-catholic: Scared politicians away from reform

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11
Q

In 1785, what did William Pitt propose?

A

Disenfranchising 36 of the worst boroughs and redistributing the seats

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12
Q

What year did the French Revolution break out and why did it effect calls for reform?

A

1789… It questioned rule by the rich

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13
Q

What book did Edmund Burke write in response to the French Revolution?

A

Reflection on the Revolutions in France, published 1790

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14
Q

Who wrote the Rights of Man in response to Burke’s criticism of the French Revolution?

A

Thomas Paine, published 1792. By 1793: 200,000 copies sold. Inspired ideas of natural rights and democracy.

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15
Q

Name two reform societies & action they took

A

Sheffield Society for Constitutional Reform: Petition for national male suffrage 10,000 signatures and London Corresponding Society, Copenhagen Fields meeting: 100,000 people, October 1795

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16
Q

The Treason Act in ___ meant that…

A

1795, treasonable acts were punishable by death (later including Six Acts and political resistance)

17
Q

In 1816 the harvests failed, meaning that…

A

Even more demands for reform, particularly in conjunction with the decline in wages due to soldiers returning from war with France

18
Q

Active reform press began to circulate from 1816 onward, including…

A

Cobbett’s Political Register (dropped price to 2d) and Wooler’s Black Dwarf

19
Q

When was the March of the Blanketeers?

A

1817

20
Q

When were the riots in Spa Field, Islington?

A

1816

21
Q

Bradreth attempted to lead a rebellion in Derbyshire in…

A

1818

22
Q

Who made speeches on reform and was speaking at the Peterloo massacre in 1819?

A

Henry Hunt

23
Q

How many were there and how many killed at the Peterloo Massaccre?

A

60,000 there, 18 killed

24
Q

In what year did Arthur Thistlewood and other radicals plot to assassinate the cabinet?

A

1820

25
Q

Manufacturing classes (Middle Class) wanted the vote, and the government needed to oblige because…

A

Their entrepreneurship was fueling the industrial revolution

26
Q

New Corn Law in 1816 meant that…

A

Peasants were unable to afford food, which now cost 10 shillings a bushel (equaled more demand for reform). Also meant that MC had to put wages up- generally made public unhappy