Theme 2 - Changing influence of the Aristocracy Flashcards
What is the significance of the 1780-1832 influence of the aristocracy
- Economic and social change - growing middle class (+non-aristocratic population) too but radical cause weaker when economy is stable
What is the cause of the influence of the aristocracy 1780-1832
- Tory dominance (could link this to Whig’s growing support for reform)
Napoleonic wars a distraction. - Key radical figures - Paine, Cartwright, Wilkes, Cobbett and Hunt.
- The LCS, Hampden Clubs, Political Register - All influence ideas but limited power v strong governments of Pitt and Liverpool
What is the background of aristocracy influence pre 17980
- Unreformed electoral system:
- influence of aristocracy, land / aristocrats dominate both parties and BOTH Houses of Parliament, PATRONAGE (placemen) and pocket / rotten boroughs
- Importance of money in elections (treating, sinecures… no secret ballot)
What is the extent of the influence of the aristocracy 1780-1832
- 1780s onwards - some action against power and cost of the Crown but nothing significant done to reduce aristocratic dominance in politics
- Development of radical ideas with increased support did lead to greater questioning of the system + growth in support for reform
What was the impact of the 1832 reform act on the influence of the aristocracy (1832-65)
-HofC
- House of Commons - increase in county seats arguably increases aristocratic influence
What was the impact of the 1832 reform act on the influence of the aristocracy (1832-65)
-LANDOWNERS
- Chandos Clause - vote given to tenants in agricultural areas who would vote in accordance in with the interests of their landowners
What was the impact of the 1832 reform act on the influence of the aristocracy (1832-65)
-maintaining control
- Abolition of rotten / pocket boroughs did little to dilute aristocratic control of parliament –>
- 70%+ MPs were conected to peers or the county gentry throughout this period.
What was the impact of the 1832 reform act on the influence of the aristocracy (1832-65)
-What was removed
- Property Qualification removed (1858)
What is the signficance of the power of the aristocracy 1832-65
- Although middle-class franchise increased the ‘Reform to preserve’ was about the power of the aristocracy - i.e. middle class support was being recruited to ensure this.
- Could be argued that 1832 represents a turning point in the power of the House of Lords - unable to block reform (William IV and Grey’s threat to create peers) and declining legitimacy v Commons
What caused the power of the aristocracy 1832-65
- Whig self-interest - 1832 Reform Act was designed to promote the fortunes of the Whigs who were the more aristocratic of the two parties.
What changed in aristocractic power 1865-1905
* power and influence of the aristocracy…
- declines
What changed in aristocractic power 1865-1905
- household suffrage
- Household suffrage - boroughs in 1867, counties in 1884 - electorate could be influenced by organised parties but too large for aristocrats to do so.
What changed in aristocractic power 1865-1905
- acts in 1872 & 1883
- Ballot Act (1872) + Corrupt Practices Act (1883) together reduce influence over tenants (NB together, not just ballot) and getting rid of bribery and treating (not seen again after 1880 election)
What changed in aristocractic power 1865-1905
- redistribution
- Redistribution Act (1885) also very important in professionalization of politics - parties want better quality candidates, aristocratic influence over candidates reduced.
- Although % of aristocrats in commons falls steadily influence in
- Government continues - Most PMs. 10 peers in Salisbury’s Cabinet 1895.
What caused the declining power of the aristtocracy 1865-1905
-reforms
- Key cause = political reforms
- ie.. 1867 - - 1872 - - 1883 - - 1884 - - 1885
- analysis can focus on the causes of these and the extent to which reduced aristocratic influence was intended / expected.
