Theme 2 - Changes in political parties Flashcards
How did the ideology of the parties develop 1780-1832
-what divide formed?
- Development of the two party system - mainly ideological
- Previously little to distinguish between Whigs and Tories (pejorative nicknames)
How did the ideology of the parties develop 1780-1832
-how did the Tories develop
- Tories = preserve status quo i.e. powers of the monarch and Anglican
- church, oppose reform, strong on law and order (e.g. repression of radicals) and protection of property.
- NB Tories become more moderate in 1820s
How did the ideology of the parties develop 1780-1832
-how did the Whigs develop
- Whigs = more receptive to reform, reduce Crown patronage tolerant ofnon-Anglicans, abolish slavery
How did the appeal of the parties develop 1780-1832
- Tories more aligned with Anglicans and agricultural interests
- Whigs with promoting interests of bankers and merchants as well as non-conformists and supporters of reform
What were the causes of changes with the Tories & Whigs 1780-1830
- Leadership - Pitt (Tories) from 1783 and Fox (Whigs) influenced this significantly
- Electoral Fortunes - Tories dominated government in this period
- French Revolution - a key influence? Provokes different reactions
- Other events too (American Revolution)
Was 1780-1832 a key turning point in the development of the parties
How did the organisation of the parties develop 1830-46
Tories
- Conservatives react first
- Arrange professional electoral agents in key areas. Job = monitor electoral roll,
- organise meetings, distribute handbills etc.
- Local conservative associations set-up
- Carlton Club in London - raise money, find + support candidates, ensure turnout
- Set up ‘registration societies’
How did the organisation of the parties develop 1830-46
Whig
- Whig Reform Club follows suit - initially to develop policy but after 1841 to improve local organisation promote voter registration and supporting electoral candidates
How did the ideology of the parties develop (& deepen) 1830-46
-Tories
- Tories divide (moderates v ultras)
- Tories become Conservatives
- accept moderate reform i.e. 1832 as a one-off (Tamworth Manifesto)
How did the ideology of the parties develop (& deepen) 1830-46
-Whigs
- Whigs embrace more social policies- slavery, working conditions, education, poverty, local administrative reform, post etc
- Lichfield House Compact (1835) —> Whigs form an agreement to work with Irish and Radical MPs (long term origin of the Liberal party - this name is used sometimes after 1835 but ideological basis of Liberalism has not yet been established.)
How did the appeal of the parties develop 1830-46
-counties
Impact of the changes on appeal are Conservative dominance of county (rural) seats
How did the appeal of the parties develop 1830-46
-boroughs
- Boroughs (urban) are more contested - Whigs, Radicals, Tories -
- 1841 victory + appeal of moderate policies to urban voters is forerunner for urban Toryism at the end of the century
How did the appeal of the parties develop 1830-46
-what change occurred in 1846
- 1846 - Corn Law repeal and split between Peelites (inc Gladstone) and protectionists (Disraeli, Bentinck) leads to 20 year wilderness
What are the causes of change in the parties between 1830-46
-policy changes
- Catholic Emancipation - Tories split over religious policies
- 1832 Reform Act & subsequent Whig Reforms- different views of reform and need to appeal to new voters
- Corn Law repeal but also religion and Ireland again - divisions begin over funding for Maynooth (Catholic priest seminary in Ireland)
- Peel’s ministry falls after defeat over Irish coercion bill
- Francis Bonham (Carlton Club) Joseph Parkes (Reform Club) —> growth of local politics due to the Municipal Corporations Act (1835)
What are the causes of change in the parties between 1830-46
-Ireland stuff
- Lichfield House is a reaction to this and Peel’s 100 day ministry in 1835
- Events - Irish Potato Famine
- 1841 election prompts Whigs to follow Conservative organisational developments
- Also interesting connections with non-conformists - active in local politics especially in the Midland and northern towns.
- Conservative clubs become associated with brewers and drinkers (non-conformists are anti-drink
What are the causes of change in the parties between 1830-46
-fortunes in politics
- Peel - leads shift from Tories to Conservatives,
- entirely responsible for Tamworth Manifesto (his constituency), and then leads split over the Corn Laws. Disraeli too.
- Electoral fortunes - again i.e. Whigs in power explains Tamworth.
Was 1780-1832 a key turning point in the development of the parties
How did the organisation of the parties develop 1780-1832
How did the ideology of the parties develop 1780-1832
