Universal Suffrage

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

A further aspect of democracy is Universal Suffrage, meaning the vote is given to all.

Question 2

Benchmark

Answer 2

In 1851, only 1 in 5 men could vote and no women.

Question 3

Knowledge 1

Answer 3

The Second Reform Act, 1867 which was known as a “leap in the dark”, gave the vote to male adult householders living in boroughs.

Question 4

Analysis 1

Answer 4

This led to Britain becoming more democratic because it increased the electorate. For example, the number of people who could vote in Glasgow increased from 18,000 to 47,000.

Question 5

Knowledge 2

Answer 5

A further reform that moved Britain towards Universal Suffrage was the 1884 Third Reform Act

Question 6

Analysis 2

Answer 6

this improved the level of democracy in Britain as the electorate was doubled meaning there was a wider variety of opinions on how the country was run.

Question 7

Counter Analysis

Answer 7

Despite this, it could be argued that since no women and not all men had been enfranchised by this reform, then universal suffrage was not achieved.

Question 8

Evaluation

Answer 8

To evaluate, it appears that the issue of universal suffrage had been reached. However, Britain wasn’t fully democratised until the 1928, Representation of the People Act was passed by Baldwin’s Conservative Party, which gave suffrage to women on equal terms as men. Compared to accountability, this issue had been well dealt with yet, not at the same level as fairness had been addressed.