Britain – Protest/Reform in Breadth
Changes in the franchise, c1780–1928: the franchise c1780 and its significance for representation of the people; pressures for change and reasons for
resistance (key developments: the Representation of the People Acts of 1832, 1867, 1884, 1918 and 1928).
Reform and redistribution, c1780–1928: the problems of representation c1780; the failure of Pitt’s proposals; reasons for resistance to, and key changes
brought by, reform (key developments: Representation of the People Acts 1832–1928, Redistribution Act 1885, the Ballot Act 1872, the Corrupt Practices
Act 1883); the extent of change by 1928. 2 Changing influences in parliament: the impact of parliamentary reform
The influence of the crown and aristocracy, c1780–1928: the extent of crown and aristocratic influence on elections and in parliament c1780; the reasons
for declining influence over the House of Commons (key developments: ‘economical reform’ in the 1780s, the Parliament Act 1911).
Changes in political parties, c1780–1928: their role in parliament and in elections; party organisation and membership; the growth of the Labour Party. The
extent of change in the social makeup of the House of Commons by 1928 (key developments: abolition of property qualification 1858, payment of MPs
1911).
Groups that got the vote – why wanted it, why resistance, how got it, key figures, key events, when, impact
Reform acts/other acts – why wanted it, why resistance, how got it, most significant factor, impact, group most benefitted
Pitt’s proposals – why did he want them, what they implied, result and why
Influence of crown – time period & key figures, powers, resistance, events
Influence of aristocracy – time period & key figures, powers, resistance, events
Political parties – party, time period & key figures, policies, party organisation, role in parliament and elections, membership,
Parliament – time period, make up, key events, impact
Acts
Changes in the Franchise 1832 Reform Act
Women Why was Political expression had been prevented throughout the
Why did they They made up the majority of the population after the war and had reform Napoleonic war
want it? helped greatly in the war effort but still were not permitted the vote desired? Radical ideas had been spread and inspired by French
Groups such as NUSEC pointed out the inequalities between men and Revolution
women and the unjust nature of such a large proportion of the ‘Double-dip’ depression in post-war slump (?)
population being disenfranchised. Widespread hunger and unemployment which led to
Women entering employment, in addition to their war effort, had riots
helped elevate their status and they were now seen through a lens of Previous reforms had been shown to be successful
increased respectability that justified their desire for the vote. ‘Ultra Tories’ wanted more people to have the vote in the
Why was Reluctance for universal female suffrage as this would have provided belief that they would prevent pro-Catholic laws
there them with more power than the depleted numbers of men in the Industrialisation and urbanisation had created a much
larger middle class that felt they should have the vote
due to their economic power
, resistance? country.
Majority of backbench Tory MPs opposed equal franchise for women
over 21 Industrial working-class were less closely supervised by
Daily Mail published several articles claiming that the reform meant their bosses and therefore able to discover political ideas
giving the vote to ‘flappers’ – single, sexually active and politically and join political associations.
ignorant women. Also believed that it would enfranchise a single unified Unstamped newspapers made political education
bloc of voters, causing the feminisation of political culture. accessible
When and 1918 Reform Act gave the vote to women over 30 who were Some landowners felt it might secure their own position
how did they householders/wives of householders/university graduates/rented in the face of the growing middle and working class.
gain it? property valued at £5 per annum. Why was Tory backbencher Robert Inglis believed that reform
The 1928 Reform Act, which gave the vote to all women 21+, passed there measures would weaken the position of the CofE within
comfortably in the HoC by 387 to 10 votes. resistance? national life.
Key figures Emmeline Pankhurst The Lords did not want the power of the aristocracy to be
Emily Wilding Davison weakened by allowing an increase to the electorate
Millicent Fawcett When and MPs supporting parliamentary reform gained seats whilst
Impact 1918: 20% women over 30 still didn’t qualify for the vote; women could how was it PM Wellington was removed by a vote of no confidence
now stand for election to Parliament and did so in the 1918 election; passed? for proclaiming that it was unnecessary
political parties now had to appear responsive to women’s issues Earl Grey, leader of the Whigs, formed a government and
1928: 5.2m women added to electorate (now more women than men presented a reform bill to the HoC that would allow more
voting) so an even greater emphasis on parties appealing to women property-owners to vote in the boroughs, redistribute
Working class seats and disenfranchise rotten boroughs. Despite
Why did they Mass-circulation newspapers allowed the population to follow reformist arguing that radical reform was the cure to satiate public
want it? events abroad. This also demonstrates an increase in public interest. unrest, the bill lost its second reading and Grey resigned.
Widespread unemployment in Northern towns and cities as a result of A second reform bill was introduced by the Whigs which
the cotton famine. would significantly increase the county electorate, mainly
Lack of responsiveness from Parliament towards WC issues despite the to renters. It was passed because Tories believed tenants
undesirable circumstances they lived in. Knowing their economic power, would vote with their landlords.
they sought to receive political influence that reflected their integral Riots and national protests broke out when the HoL
place within the working world. failed to pass the bill, forcing the King to listen to Grey
Contributed to the pressure for 1832 Reform Act but didn’t reap its and agree to create more pro-reform peers in order to
benefits see the bill passed. Faced with this threat, the Lords
Why was Landed gentry feared a dilution of their power and influence. passed the bill.
there Some believed that the WC were not educated or politically engaged Most Extra-parliamentary pressure because this had become so
resistance? enough to make rational, respectable decisions and therefore eared the significant intense that a revolutionary climate was building. This
impact of their vote upon the political sphere. factor threatened the crown and Parliament into taking action
When and 1867 Reform Act increased the electorate to 1 in 3 men despite the fact that there was not much incentive within
how did they 1918 Reform Act gave all working class men the vote these institutions to change a system that presently
gain it? 1928 Reform Act gave all working class women the vote benefitted them.
Key figures William Lovett Group that Middle class men
William Cobbett benefitted Shopkeepers
most
