To what extent does the emergence of an industrial middle class explain the increasing demand for reform in the years 1785- 1832

Question 1

Factor 1- Long term- middle class emergence

Answer 1

Facts- the middle class grew 75% between 1785 and 1830 with the emergence of the industrial revolution, which attracted people to cities like London that previously had 50,000 people, but had 2.3 million by 1830.

• The middle class owned the factories and had commercial drive and political demands, but felt they were ignored in favour of aristocratic nepotism and patronage.
• The corn laws introduced by the government in 1815 favoured the landowners, whilst employers had to put wages up as food prices increased to retain a health work force. (government looking after its own)
• Their importance as employers of the citizens of growing industrialised cities was more significant than that of the land owning elite, and so their parliamentary representation was vital in sustaining the economic growth they had began.
• Men like Richard Arkwright and Samuel Crompton had adopted Laissez Faire policies that swayed away from government intervention; however it worked in the favour of the economy which was in the interests of the government and so they should have a say in how the country was ran.

explanation- The middle class were the economic driving force of the century and as they grew in size, they needed more political power to enable them the freedom to expand (laissez faire). Therefore they were a significant reason for increasing demand for reform because they were so vital to Britain at the time, and their education enabled them to appeal to the government more reasonably than lower classes that resorted to rioting/ violence. They were more important in the long term as the industrial revolution was not in full swing until 1830.

Question 2

factor 2- short term- parliament’s unwillingness to modernise (pre 1800)

Answer 2

Facts- the ruling elite came together to defend the pre reform system that benefited them so much, as they could bribe voters in open ballots to vote for them.

• The French Revolution reinforced their ideas that Britain’s people didn’t need any more freedom, as they feared revolutions from below.
• William Pitt’s reign of terror (an attack on the radical activity of Britain) was the spark that increased the working classes’ demand for reform; Legislation banned trade unions under the combinations act 1799, in Dec 1795 ‘two acts’ passed to ban meetings of over 50 who’s object was to discuss parliamentary reform.
• Licenses were taken from pubs that allowed radical meetings to take place. societies like London corresponding society in 1792 set up to raise public awareness, peaceful demonstration in October 1795 attracted 100,000 to Copenhagen fields, more determination of these groups combined with revolution in France explains why there was increased involvement of lower classes advertising reform.

Explanation- It was this oppression of basic democratic rights of the working classes of Britain that resulted in the biggest increase in demands for reform, because they were the majority of the country and by far the least represented. Pitt feared the idea of a repeat of the French revolution in Britain, but instead of increasing political freedoms, he restricted them further; this therefore explains the subsequent revolutions of the lower classes against parliament. Groups like LCS and Sheffield society for constitutional information spread these message with ease and encouraged activism

Question 3

Factor 3- short term- economic problems

Answer 3

facts- Between 1806 and 1812, Napoleon blockade Britain from exporting, and USA declared war in 1812, and so national debt rose from £238mn to £902mn.

• Because the industrial revolution had not come into full effect in 1815, jobs still weren’t in wide supply and 400,000 soldiers struggled to find jobs after returning home from war, and 7000 ironworkers in shropshire lost their jobs after the war as they Weren’t required.
• The poor were getting poorer whilst the rich were getting richer, as the government abolished direct income tax in 1816, that predominantly was taken from the rich, and replaced it with indirect taxes on sugar, tea etc, that was regressive and worsened the living standards of the poor who were affected the most. Indirect tax revenue increased £50mn between 1790-1816

explanation- In combination with the emergence of cheap radical press, attitudes of the working and lower classes of Britain began to become more revolutionary as they began to make the link between economic distress and the need for political reform, which therefore saw them increasingly demand reform, especially the need of increased electorate sizes. They needed reform because the current system favoured the ruling elite, at the expense of their living Standards.

Question 4

question- To what extent does the emergence of an industrial middle class explain the increasing demand for reform in the years 1785- 1832

Answer 4

To what extent does the emergence of an industrial middle class explain the increasing demand for reform in the years 1785- 1832

Question 5

The old corrupt system

Answer 5

Facts-

• over 50 boroughs had less than 40 voters represented by 2 MPs; these rotten boroughs were grossly overrepresented, eg Old Sarum which had a single landowning resident and no occupants returned 2 MPs in parliament.
• New towns such as Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield had no MPs because of their recent creations; Manchester had a population of 400,000 by 1815 and yet no MPs
• corruption and bribery- 2/3s of elections were uncontested. voting was a public affair rife with intimidation. ‘lambs’ were groups of thugs who would intimidate voters, and ‘treating’ was where a politician would Pay for voters food and accommodation during voting
• in 1831 less than 5% of the male population had the vote

old system failed to account for the growing urbanisation at the expense of the new waves of middle and working classes, who increasingly resented the old system. especially in combination to Pitts reign of terror