aristocracy influence on politics

Question 1

what was the influence of aristocracy on politics like in 1780’s

Answer 1

• social composition of commons and lords was similar
• the Heads of Families would be in the Lord and their relatives would be in the Commons
• Control over elections due to bribery and threats
• cabinets typically made of Lords

Question 2

what were the factors that decreased the Aristocracy’s influence?

Answer 2

• 1858 Abolition of MP property qualification
• 1880’s Economic Changes & Corrupt Practices Act
• 1911 Payment of MP’s
• Early 1900’s
• 1832 Reform Act
• 1884 ROPA & 1885 Redistribution Act
• Parliament Act 1911

Question 3

how did the 1858 Abolition of MP Property Qualification affect the Aristocracy’s Influence?

Answer 3

• Eroded Aristocracy’s dominance as election open to all men
• but many working class couldn’t afford to run as MP’s due to having to work

Question 4

how did the 1880’s Economic Changes & Corrupt Practices Act affect the Aristocracy’s Influence?

Answer 4

• there was gradual decline in wealth and Aristocracy
• fall in agricultural prices & imports on American grain
• Corrupt practices act limiting election campaign spending

Question 5

how did the 1911 Payment of MP’s affect the Aristocracy’s Influence?

Answer 5

• Was a demand on the People’s Charter
• 1891 Liberal Party adopted the idea following the enfranchisement of the working class
• Trade Unions sponsored individuals at elections & provided support for MP £200 a year from Labour

Question 6

how did the Early 1900’s affect the Aristocracy’s Influence?

Answer 6

• 1928 Aristocratic influence over the Commons dissipated
• Universal Male and Female suffrage led to emergence of new powerful electoral organisations (e.g. Labour)
• WWI, Death Duties and Rise in Welfare created social implications for Aristocracy
• by 1928 aristocracy was no longer powerhouse in politics

Question 7

how did the 1832 Reform Act affect the Aristocracy’s Influence?

Answer 7

• passing of Reform Act showed power of Aristocracy was not absolute
• Commons majority and backing of electorate could force Lords
• However number of increased seats benefitted Aristocracy
• And 60 seats remained in Aristocratic control

Question 8

how did the 1884 ROPA & 1885 Redistribution Act affect the Aristocracy’s Influence?

Answer 8

• Reduction in amount of Rural Seats
• Enlargement of County Electorate
• Landowning cabinet ministers and MP’s declining
• 1885 MP’s from industrial backgrounds outnumbered landowners in Commons

Question 9

how did the 1911 Parliament Act affect the Aristocracy’s Influence?

Answer 9

• Lords were rejecting all liberal reform bills
• Liberal passed a bill to limit Lords power
• prevented the lords from rejecting or amending any ‘money bills’
• allowed for Lords to delay other legislation for up to 2 years
• George V asked to make new peers to pass bill if rejected - he agreed as long as there was another election and that this agreement was kept secret
• limited the Lord power - in turn reducing influence of aristocracy