Parliamentary Reform - The Representation of the People Act 1832 Flashcards
Pressure to Pass the Act - What was the impact of the French Revolution?
The French Revolution led to increased spreading of reformist ideas in Britain, esp those promoting equality and liberty – these were particularly supported by those who were unenfranchised and wanted the vote
Pressure to Pass the Act - What was the significance of the Catholic Emancipation Act 1829?
Many Tory backbenchers were strong supporters of the Anglican Church - however Wellington and Peel’s Tory gov were forced to pass gov passed the controversial 1829 Catholic Emancipation Act which repealed most anti-Catholic legislation due to growing unrest in Ireland – this alienated many Tories and weakened the Party’s unity and ability to oppose reform
Pressure to Pass the Act - What was the significance of the monarch?
In June 1830, anti-reform monarch George IV died, and in Sep 1830, William IV was crowned who was open to reform
Pressure to Pass the Act - Significance of Political Unions?
The growth of political unions such as the BPU added to political pressure – when the bill was rejected by the Lords, the BPU led 100,000 in a public, peaceful march – when Wellington tried to form a Tory gov, the unions threatened to create a financial crisis
Pressure to Pass the Act - What happened from 1928/29-30 and what did this lead to?
1829-30 was a period of economic depression, which created national discontent and riots in the countryside – these were known as the Swing Riots as a succession of poor harvests from 1928 saw large scale arson and the destruction of agricultural machinery – this was suppressed in 1831 when 19 men were executed and 600 were imprisoned – but the scale of the riots was partly when gov passed the reform bill
Pressure to Pass the Act - What was the resolve of the Whig’s like and what did this do?
Whig determination – when the Tories in the Commons rejected the bill, the Whigs demanded a new election and persuaded the King that reform would resolve tensions – in 1931 when the Lords blocked the Bill and then slowed a subsequent draft, the Whigs resigned, which led to an unpopular Tory gov and forced the King to accept the reform to achieve peace
Pressure to Pass the Act - What happened in 1832?
After a third draft of the Bill was stopped by the Lords, the Days of May protests broke out in favour of the bill and against the lords – eventually, the Whigs returned to power and the Lords were forced to pass the bill into law in 1932
What did the Act do - Boroughs
In the boroughs men owning or occupying properties valued at £10 or above were granted the vote
What did the Act do - Counties
In the counties, those who had previously voted under the 40 shillings franchises kept their vote
What was the impact of the Act - How big was the increase in the electorate?
Increased the electorate from 435,000 to 813,000 – 20% of adult males (9% of all adults) could vote compared to just 4% before
What was the impact of the Act - Problems with plural voting, working classes, and women?
Plural voting continued, and working-classes still has no vote neither did women
What is plural voting?
When a person had the right to more than one vote in general elections, usually done through one vote at one’s own constituency and then another through a university such as Oxford or Cambridge
What are hustings?
The name for elections pre secret ballot - these were public, corrupt, drunken affairs where bribery by the wealthy was common
What was the impact of the Act - Problems with hustings?
Did not change the hustings, so voting was still dominated by the wealthy
