Twelve. Greater Democracy. Flashcards
When did the new Whig government come to power?
November 1830 and was led by Charles Grey. One of its main priorities was reform.
What was the late 1820s like in Britain?
There was a considerable amount of unrest, particularly with the ‘Swing Riots’ whose ferocity had unnerved the authorities.
What happened regarding the reform bill?
In 1831, the Tory house of Commons and then the Lords rejected the reform bill. There was incredible, unrelenting pressure for the bill outside of Parliament e.g Thomas Attwood’s Birmingham Political Union.
There was a threatening undertone that Britain could be on the verge of a revolution if these demands were ignored.
How did Industrialisation affect the demands for reform? (MC)
Before industrialisation, the middle classes had been willing to accept political power and authority rested in the hands of the landed aristocracy but the middle classes grew in number and some enjoyed new wealth and prosperity and they believed that deserved some power as they were contributing to society. Middle classes were influenced by Jeremy Bentham, a radical thinker who wrote about democracy and reform.
What was the situation regarding Working classes and political reform?
They were more politially aware and had responded to radical influence in post-war years but their interest fell away as the economy improved. They were also often dismissed by the middle classes, who believed that they were not educated enough to vote.
