The Growth of Democracy 1850 - 1928
Key Definitions • Constituency – the area of land that is represented by one Member of Parliament. • Suffrage – the Right to vote. • Extending the franchise – the government allowing more people to vote. • MP – Member of Parliament. The person who is elected to represent a constituency.
The GROWTH of DEMOCRACY
Democracy “Government of the people, by the people, for the people� - Abraham Lincoln A democracy is more than simply having the right to vote; it is about how the British political system became fairer and more representative of the people, who in turn became better informed about the choices they had available to them.
What What isis A A Democracy? Democracy? • A democracy is a country where… • The government is elected by all adults. • The government is formed by the most popular party. • Elections are held regularly and freely. • There is a Secret Ballot. • There is freedom of speech and debate. • The Law is fair to all citizens.
The “Houses of Parliament� stand on the Themes in London. Built in the early 19th century they are home to British politics.
The House of Commons In Britain, MP’s Seats are in the “House of Commons”. The Prime Minister always sits here
The leader of the political party with the second biggest number of seats (the opposition) always sits there
The House of Lords This is the “second” house of the British Parliament. This is where the nobility and the high-ranking members of society provide guidance to the elected “House of Commons” The “Lords” are not elected.
British Politics Before 1850
Who Who voted voted in in 1830? 1830?
voters non-voters
In 1830, only a tiny minority of people (all men) could vote in elections – there were only 4,000 voters in all of Scotland.
I look down on both of them
The British Class System I look up to him But down on him
I look up to bof of ‘em
Society in 1850… • British society was organised on a “Class System”. • Dominated by the aristocracy (Landowning class). • Middle class – consisted of professional people (Lawyers, bankers, doctors)
Society in 1850… The Working Class • Had no status but provided most of the labour on which Britain’s wealth was based. • They did not have the “Franchise”. • None of them owned property.
Society in 1850… The Working Class
• They had few rights. • Many lived in poverty. • They were uneducated and had no one to represent them either in Parliament or at work.
19th Century Elections Elections Electionsin inthe the th early early19 19thCentury Century were weredisorganised disorganised corrupt corruptand and dishonest. dishonest.
Bribery Bribery and and Corruption Corruption at at an an Election Election
Look Lookcarefully carefullyat at this thisnotice noticeof ofan an election electionin inLondon London in in1832. 1832.What What aspects aspectsof ofthis this election electionwould wouldwe we consider considerto tobe bevery very strange strangetoday? today?
“Pocket Burgh”
“Give Me The Money and I’ll secure you the Seat”
Some Examples of “Pocket burghs” MPs
Houses in Borough
Voters in 1831
Duke of Rutland
2
35
20
Callington
Lord Clinton
2
225
42
Dunwich
Lord Huntingfield
2
44
32
East Looe
John Buller
2
167
38
Gatton
Sir Mark Wood
2
Old Sarum
Earl of Caledon
2
3
11
Newtown
Sir Fitzwilliam Barrington
2
14
23
Plympton Earle
Earl of Mount Edgcumbe
2
182
40
Borough
Patron
Bramber
23
7
“Rotten Burghs” • A “Rotten Burgh” is a constituency where there are very few voters – but they still have the same number of MPs as a much larger area. • An Example of is Old Sarum
The The village village of of Old Old Sarum Sarum was was affected affected by by coastal coastal erosion erosion
“Rotten Burghs” MPs 2
Houses
Voters
3
11
Eventually, Eventually, the the whole whole village village had had fallen fallen into into the the sea sea as as aa result result of of coastal coastal erosion. erosion. But But it it still still sent sent two two MP’s MP’s to to Parliament Parliament –– At At this this time, time, Edinburgh Edinburgh had had only only 11 MP! MP!
Old Sarum in 1830
Why did Britain Become More Democratic? (What made the politicians introduce the reform bills?)
What Makes Politicians Introduce New Acts? Why should I change the law or introduce a new one?
Why Was This Laws Passed? Smoking Ban (in England) – July 2007
Concerns over public health Example from other countries Media pressure?
Pressure for change France becomes a Republic: The execution of King Louis 16th in 1793
The The French French Revolution Revolution sent sent shock shock waves waves through through Europe: Europe: The The British British ruling ruling elite’s elite’s worst worst nightmare. nightmare. Would Would it it happen happen here? here?
Between the French Revolution and 1850 there were a number of attempts by working class organisations to force the British government to introduce universal male suffrage and other political reforms. These were met by Government repression and refusal to consider reform.
If we don’t give these horrid workers the vote they will revolt and take away our power and privileges
1850:The Establishment's Dilemma
Franchise after 1832 Act
11% Adult Male Vot ers Adult Males wit hout t he Vot e 89%
The emerging middle classes are given the vote and begin to join the upper class as Britain’s ruling elite. Britain’s huge urban and rural working class are excluded from the franchise and begin to campaign for the vote. The distribution of seats around the country is still massively unfair
Many Many members members of of the the working working class class were were bitterly bitterly disappointed disappointed by by the the failure failure of of the the 1832 1832 Reform Reform Act Act to to give give the the vote vote to to the the working working class. class. This This led led to to the the setting setting up up of of the the Chartist Chartist movement movement in in 1838. 1838. The The movement movement lasted lasted until until 1848 1848 and and submitted submitted three three petitions petitions to to Parliament. Parliament. They They were were all all rejected. rejected.
The The Six Six Demands Demands of of the the Chartists. Chartists. Annual Annualelections electionsto tothe theHouse House of ofCommons Commons The Thevote votefor forall alladult adultmales males over over21 21 Secret SecretBallot Ballot Equal Equalelectoral electoraldistricts districts Abolition Abolitionof ofproperty property qualifications qualificationsfor formembership membershipin in the theHouse Houseof ofCommons Commons Payment Paymentof ofsalaries salariesto toelected elected MP’s MP’s
The Chartist meeting in London April 1848
Factors • • • •
Social & Economic Change Political Parties Political Pressure Nationalist Pressures
Pressures for Change after 1850 Social & Economic Changes Industrial revolution and economic change in Britain created new industrial towns and cities with huge populations who could not vote The new middle class
Middle classes – wealth creators – argued they should have more of a say in running the country. Led to redistribution of parliamentary seats (1867/1885/1918)
 Compulsory State Education led to better literacy and the creation of cheap newspapers (The Penny Press) led to increased interest in politics from the working class  Better transport links (Railways) led to more travel and awareness of national, social, economic and political issues
During the 19th Century, new cities and towns developed in Britain with huge populations of working class men and women Glasgow
This was a result of the industrial revolution Leeds Manchester Birmingham
Many of these new industrial towns and cities had no MPs. At the same time, some older but much smaller towns and villages did have MP’s. This was obviously unfair
• The growing importance of women in the economy during the Great War period led to the decision to pass the 1918 Act
Political Pressures • Pressure Groups demanded reform (eg National Reform Union, The Reform League, NUWSS/WSPU, intellectuals like John Stuart Mill) • Professionalism of politics developed (1911) – which led to greater political pressure from the working class. • Drive to eliminate bribery and corruption (1872/1883)
Political Pressures • First Past The Post voting system – votes cast still doesn’t = percentage of seats gained. This provoked arguments for proportional representation. • By 1900 there was little devolution of power to areas like Scotland and Wales.
Political Parties • The two main political parties at the time (The Liberals and Tories) also saw a benefit to themselves in widening the franchise • Both believed reforms to the existing system could widen their support and ensure their dominance of British politics. • Both hoped that grateful new voters would back their party
The Liberals • Recognised the changes in society • The majority of their support came from the wealthy middle classes but they saw the benefit in extending the franchise to the skilled working class • These people were seen as hard working and trustworthy but there was no plans to extend to the rest of the working class • In reforms of 1880’s Liberals tried to win votes of Urban voters
The Tories • More cautious about reforms • Their support base (the landed aristocracy) was changing and they were looking to broaden it • At the same time they wanted to prevent the Liberals from passing any Act that would widen their support • However they also saw many working class as being potential Conservative voters and where thus prepared to give the vote to more of the working class
The Tories • Disraeli (the Tory leader) recognised that because of Britain’s culture of hierarchy many working class would still vote for their social ‘betters’ • The 1867 Reforms are evidence of this • Universal Male Suffrage was still a step too far though • The passing of the Second Reform Act (1867) was a result of a Conservative Government
Nationalist Pressures • Britain was generally supportive of democratic reform abroad and therefore it was difficult to argue against democratic progress at home.
Nationalist Pressures • American Civil War (1861 – 1865) – the North was more democratic than the South and won support from many in the public. • Reform in Europe (eg Italian and German Unification) encouraged Britain to introduce political reform.
How Democratic Was Britain By 1928?
There were THREE main types of reforms to make Britain more democratic
Extending Extending the the franchise franchise (the (the right right to to vote) vote) by by Laws Laws in in 1832,1867,1884 1832,1867,1884 1918 1918 and and 1928 1928 Re-distributing Re-distributing the the MP’s MP’s seats seats (constituencies) (constituencies) by by laws laws in in 1832,1867 1832,1867 and and 1885 1885 Making Making Political Political Process Process Fairer. Fairer. Introducing Introducing secret secret ballot ballot 1872, 1872, getting getting rid rid of of bribery bribery and and corruption corruption in in 1883, 1883, 1911 1911 Parliament Parliament Act, Act, More More political political parties parties etc. etc. These can be used as factors in your essays!
Extending the Franchise
The Second Reform Act - 1867
Better–off Better–off working working class class men men (Householders (Householders and and lodgers lodgers paying paying £10 £10 per per annum) annum) in in the the towns towns were were given given the the vote. vote. Franchise Franchise increased increased to to 230,000 230,000 voters voters in in Scotland Scotland
The Third Reform Act - 1884
Better-off Better-off working working class class men men who who lived lived in in the the countryside countryside were were given given the the vote. vote. This This increased increased the the Franchise Franchise to to 560,500 560,500 in in Scotland Scotland and and over over 5.5m 5.5m in in the the UK. UK.
All All adult adult males males (over (over 21) 21) were were now nowgiven given the the vote. vote. Women Women over over 30 30 who who were were householders, householders, the the wives wives of of householders householders or or were were university universitygraduates graduateswere were given given the the vote vote at at this this time time Women aged 21-30 had to wait until the 1928 Equal Franchise Act to get the vote on the same terms as men.
Extending the Franchise
The The right right to to vote vote was was gradually graduallyextended extendedto to all all social social classes classes and and finally finally to to women. women.
Redistributing the Seats (and making Britain more Democratic)
Taking away the seats of MP’s from small towns and villages and giving them to the new growing towns and cities was called…
ReRedistribution distribution of of seats seats e.g the tiny village of Old Sarum lost its 2 MPs. The seats were re-distributed to Manchester
We deserve more MP’s Manchester is a growing city
First Reform Act 1832 • Changed many of the Constituencies, so that the larger towns were now more represented. Glasgow and Edinburgh now had two MPs each while Aberdeen, Perth and Dundee got their 1st MPs.
Even after 1867 (Second Reform Act), distribution of seats was still a problem
• For example, Tiverton = 10,000 people and had 2 MP’s, Glasgow = 500,000 2 MP’s. • Is this democratic? • Is this fair?
The Third Reform Act - 1884 • Finally addressed the problem of seat distribution. • 1 MP would now represent a constituency that was made up of around 53,000 people. Regardless of whether this was a town or the countryside. In this way many large towns got much greater representation in parliament.
Making Elections Fairer. (and making Britain more Democratic)
An Election from before 1872. How Was Voting Done?
The Secret Ballot Act (1872), stated that all voting had to be done in secret. This allowed the votes to be cast fairly with no intimidation or threats.
1872 1872 Secret Secret Ballot Ballot Act Act
The Corrupt Practices Act 1883. All Bribery during voting is outlawed. (before this act it was not uncommon for rich landowners to offer voters whisky or a free meal for their support during the elections).
1911 – Parliament Act Power of the House of Lords is reduced Before this reform, the un-elected Lords could “Veto” (stop) any laws created by the MPs if they did not like them. The 1911 Parliament act removed the veto power of the lords and made the system fairer.
1911 Parliament Act From 1911 – MPs were paid for doing the job. This allowed poorer people to become MPs and stand up for their own rights in parliament. Before this only those who could afford not to have a job – e.g. the very rich – could have become MPs.
Political Parties in Britain in the 19 th Century
There were just two! WHIGS
= Liberals
TORIES
= Conservatives
1929 General Election • • • • •
Conservatives Labour Liberals Communists National (Scotland)
There were 12 different political parties to chose from, each with different policies that appealed to different types of people – this is more democratic.
Today there are over 50 different political parties within the UK
Date 1832
Name of Act First Reform Act
Changes • Removes “Rotten Burghs”. (Areas where only 1 man is eligible to stand as a candidate – or even vote!) • Seats given to new industrial towns (Edinburgh + Glasgow got 2 more, Greenock and Paisley got their first MPs). • Vote given to the better-off middle class (owners of land worth more than £10 per year). • Electorate rose from 4,500 to 65,000.
1867
Second Reform Act
• Vote extended to male adult householders (those who owned their house) – for the first time this let some working class men vote, mainly craftsmen and skilled workers though. • Landowners of land worth £5 per year given the vote in the country – but not farm workers who were the majority of the rural population.
1872
The Ballot Act
• A very important act! • Voting was now done in secret so that people could vote for whoever they wanted, not just who the powerful landowners had told them to vote for.
Date
Name of Act
Changes
1883
Corrupt Practices Act
• Bribery during voting is outlawed.
1884
Third Reform Act
• (before this act it was not uncommon for rich landowners to offer voters whisky or a free meal for their support during the elections). • Extended the right to vote to many more working class men. • Removed the differences in voting rights between the towns and the country so that every voter had equal qualifications. • In Scotland – 560,500 men could vote (60% of all adult males). • Small towns lost their rights tot their own seats, instead these were given to the larger towns and cities with more population.
1911
Parliament Act
• Number of Scottish seats was increased to 72. • Limited the power of the House of Lords. • Elections were to be held every 5 years. • MPs were to be paid – working class men had a better chance of standing for Parliament.
What Remained Undemocratic?
Undemocratic in 1928 • • • • •
Voting age not 18 until 1969. No Proportional Representation. No devolved powers. House of Lords still unelected. No referendums.
Essay Question • To what extent did Britain make progress towards democracy between 1850 and 1918?