Voting Flashcards
What were rotten boroughs?
Areas that sent two MPs to parliament even though no one lived there.
Give an example of a rotten borough:
In one case there was a mound of grass, called Old Sarum, where a village used to be.
What was the problem with rotten boroughs?
Abandoned areas were still being represented whereas large and fast growing towns, like Birmingham, had no MPs to represent it in parliament.
What were pocket boroughs?
These were boroughs that were controlled by rich individuals who did not represent the needs of everyone.
What was the problem with the no secret ballot?
People had to say in public who they were voting for. Therefore, they could be easily bribed, and in some cases people were sacked if they did not vote for the ‘right’ candidate. Thee was not true representation, and the same corrupt people continued to hold power.
Give an example of how being allowed a vote was unfair:
Some people were allowed to vote purely because they had a fireplace and a locked door.
What were potwalloper boroughs?
Some people were allowed to vote purely because they had a fireplace and a locked door. In order to prove their assets, men would rattle their keys in a large cooking pot.
What group of people could not vote in the early 19th century?
Women.
What political party was in charge at the beginning of the 19th century?
The Tory party.
When and who were the Tory party voted out by?
In 1830 they were voted out and replaced by the Whig party.
Who led the Whig party?
Earl Grey
Who became the king in 1830?
King William IV.
What was King William IV more open to compared to the king before (King George IV)?
William was more open to reform and improving society.
Who was Thomas Attwood and what did he set up?
A Birmingham man who formed the Birmingham Political Union of the Lower and Middle Classes of People in 1829.
Attwood along with how many other sent a petition to parliament?
8000 others.
