The Rise of Democracy in the United Kingdom: 1850-1928

Reasons for Initial Changes

Shift in population – rural to urbanBetter education and rise in literacy French Revolution showed what ‘people power’ could doRise of Middle Class businessmenReform groups were set up early C19, e.g. Birmingham Political Union (1830)The Chartists

Early Changes (pre-1850)

1929 – Roman Catholics were given the right to become MPs1832 Reform Act (Great Reform Act): fierce opposition but passed on third attempt. Mainly affected Middle Class men in boroughs. Electorate increased by approximately 280,000 and some towns gained an MP

Other C19th ReformsSecond Reform Act, 1867:Passed by Disraeli (Conservative Party)Disreali did not want to include w.c men, but felt the need to extend the franchise because of agitation in the countryHouseholders with 1 years residence could voteLodgers living in accommodation worth £10 pa could vote (£5 in counties)Occupiers of premises with rateable value of £12 pa were granted the vote

52 More seats became available to cities, towns and universitiesScotland gained 15 MPsElectorate rose to 2.5 million from just over 1 millionGave more working class men the vote than had been intended – implications for future campaigning.

Representation of the People Act 1884Passed by Gladstone (Liberal Party)Liberals were a party of reformDid not go as far as Liberals hopedElectorate rose to 5 millionAll householders and lodgers paying £10 per year could vote (boroughs and counties)2/3 of all men in England could vote

The way people voted

Changed dramatically in 1872 with the Secret Ballot Act – got rid of the hustings and intimidation. (Gladstone)

The Corrupt and illegal Practices Act of 1883 dealt with corruption during campaigns. (Gladstone)

The sizes of Constituencies

Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 aimed to make constituencies equal sizesTotal number of MPs rose to 670 from 652Scotland gained 72 seatsUniversities kept 2 seatsNotable changes were felt in cities like Glasgow – gained 4 MPs

Early C20 Changes

Choice for working class voters increased with the formation of the Labour Party in 1903Rise in Trade Union membership1911 brought the Parliament Act which achieved three things: i) MPs received a salary ii) length of parliament reduced to 5 years from 7 iii) House of Lords could no longer reject Bills indefinitely

women

Representation of the People Act 1918 gave women over the age of 30 (and all remaining men over 21) the voteRepresentation of the People Act 1928 gave the remainder of females over 21 the voteArguments over women’s suffrage: war, suffrage movements or natural progression?

Pressure Groups

The Social Democratic Federation SDF

The Fabian Society

The TUC

WSPU

NUWSS

New Liberalism

Labour Party/working men clubs

Possible Questions?

“To what extent was Britain a democracy at the outbreak of World War One?”“Explain why Parliament gave the right to vote to increasing numbers of people between 1867 and 1928”“How important was the role of political pressure groups in the growth of democracy between 1860 and 1914?”