1. the Pressure for Change, THE BRITISH POLITICAL SYSTEM 1783 Flashcards
(22 cards)
what was Asa Briggs opinions on patronage?
she thinks patronage was the key to holding the King and government together, through the King rewarding knighthoods and money in return for loyalty.
in 1783, what system was in place between the government and monarchy?
a constitutional monarchy
what is a constitutional monarchy?
a form of government in which the king rules the country, but his is restrained or limited by a constitution such as parliament
who was the King during 1783-1820?
King George III
what was the composition of parliament?
the House of Lords
the House of Commons
who was in the House of Lords?
- unelected hereditary peers
- had great political influence
what power did the House of Lords have over the House of Commons?
they can block measures proposed by the House of Commons
what was the House of Commons?
it was an elected assembly, full of gentry
who did the House of Commons represent?
represented the gentry and landowners
what was the flaw with the House of Commons?
there were several different groups and factions, making it hard to maintain a stable majority
who are the Privy Council?
they are the monarchy’s advisors which act as a bridge between the King and Parliament
what was the disadvantage of the Privy Council?
-members were appointed for life so it meant the council grew too large to manage
what was created as a result of the overpopulated Privy Council?
the cabinet
what was the name of the ‘leader’ of this cabinet?
First Lord of the Treasury aka Prime Minister
what were the two main political parties in the cabinet?
- The whigs
- the Tories
how was the Kings power weakened in 1782?
in 1782, there was a loss of the American colonies, meaning the King was forced by an angry Parliament to accept the resignation of Lord North as PM, and accept Rockingham as PM, who he detested
why did the British political system need a reform?
- dominated by wealthy and influential landowners and aristocrats
- these people did not listen to others and wanted no change that could impact them personally
- only a small number of men could vote
how was parliament unrepresentative?
due to industrialisation, many people moved to cities such as manchester, the representatives of cities was less. meaning boroughs that they left behind still had the majority of representatives
in 1783 how many people sat in the House of Lords?
220
how many people were in the house of commons in 1783?
558
what is a franchise?
the people who had the right to vote, based on property qualification
how many people could vote in 1783?
around 250,000 despite the population being higher than 9.4 million
