Why Britain became more democratic Flashcards
1
Q
List of Factors
A
First World War
Urbanisation & Industrialisation
Pressure Groups
Party Advantage
2
Q
First World War
A
- Classes mixed in the trenches
- Working classes were viewed more sympathetically by the upper classes, who had the most political power
men also had to be readmitted into the franchise - Boer war
- Women had to take over, many worked as train & tram conductors, typists or secretaries
- Showcased women’s eligibility to vote - as a result all men over 21 and some women over 30
- It would take a further 10 years for women to stand on equal footing with men
3
Q
Urbanisation & Industrialisation
A
- Highly populated urban areas, new industries
- Political ideas easy to spread (railways and newspapers)
- Many couldn’t get info from newspapers as compulsory schooling did not come until 1872
- Landowners previously created Britain’s wealth
- The new wealth creators were the middle class, who demanded the vote
4
Q
Pressure Groups
A
- Chartists, Reform League, NRU
- Gave a political voice to those who had none
- However they did not argue for votes for women
- Suffragists and Suffragettes
- Allowed women to set a good impression, form close bonds with politicians & future PMs
- Government did not want to be seen as giving in to terrorism
5
Q
Party Advantage
A
- Death of Lord Asquith, it was quickly discovered that offering votes could gain party popularity
- Disraeli offered things Conservatives usually wouldn’t to gain votes
- However he only extended the franchise to a small number of men more
- Liberals feared the rise of Labour
- So gave the vote to all men over 21 and some women over 30
