Liberal Reforms in Britain & Its Empire

Reforms of the 1800s  Liberalism protected individual rights and civil liberties;  Many reforms were created in 1800s to protect civil liberties;  Abolition of slavery was among the reforms.  Liberalism protected individual rights and civil liberties;  Many reforms were created in 1800s to protect civil liberties;  Abolition of slavery was among the reforms.

Voting Restrictions  Before the reforms, voters in Britain had many restrictions;  Only property owners could vote;  Voted in the open for all to see;  Voters could be bribed or intimidated;  Catholics, Jews, non- Anglicans couldn’t vote.  Before the reforms, voters in Britain had many restrictions;  Only property owners could vote;  Voted in the open for all to see;  Voters could be bribed or intimidated;  Catholics, Jews, non- Anglicans couldn’t vote.

The Reform Bill of 1832  1829 Catholic Emancipation Act allowed Catholics to hold office;  Reform Bill of 1832 gave more seats in Parliament to more populated areas;  Middle class could now vote.  1829 Catholic Emancipation Act allowed Catholics to hold office;  Reform Bill of 1832 gave more seats in Parliament to more populated areas;  Middle class could now vote.

Social and Economic Change  Factory Act of 1833 reformed working conditions for women and children;  Slavery was abolished in 1833;  First step in free public education in 1833;  Parliament repealed the Corn Laws in 1846 that reduced high taxes on grain.  Factory Act of 1833 reformed working conditions for women and children;  Slavery was abolished in 1833;  First step in free public education in 1833;  Parliament repealed the Corn Laws in 1846 that reduced high taxes on grain.

The Chartist Movement  Reforms that were proposed in a document called the People’s Charter;  Created by William Lovett;  Wanted a secret ballot for voting;  Equalize parliamentary representation;  Salaries for members of parliament so anyone could enter politics.  Reforms that were proposed in a document called the People’s Charter;  Created by William Lovett;  Wanted a secret ballot for voting;  Equalize parliamentary representation;  Salaries for members of parliament so anyone could enter politics.

Queen Victoria  King William IV died in 1837 with no heirs;  18-year-old niece Victoria became queen;  Reign lasted for 63 years and known as Victorian Age;  Victoria gave her prime ministers a free hand and did not interfere with parliament.  King William IV died in 1837 with no heirs;  18-year-old niece Victoria became queen;  Reign lasted for 63 years and known as Victorian Age;  Victoria gave her prime ministers a free hand and did not interfere with parliament.

Reforms of the Early 1900s  Political reform was accompanied by social reform;  Beginning in 1905 the Liberals passed many social welfare laws;  Old-age pensions, health insurance, and unemployment insurance among them;  Parliament Act of 1911 took Lords’ power to veto tax or spending bills;  Women’s suffrage was not won until WWI.  Political reform was accompanied by social reform;  Beginning in 1905 the Liberals passed many social welfare laws;  Old-age pensions, health insurance, and unemployment insurance among them;  Parliament Act of 1911 took Lords’ power to veto tax or spending bills;  Women’s suffrage was not won until WWI.

Canada  1838 Lord Durham was sent to Canada to reform their government;  Stated colony should have self- government;  British North America Act was passed in 1867;  Colony expanded.  1838 Lord Durham was sent to Canada to reform their government;  Stated colony should have self- government;  British North America Act was passed in 1867;  Colony expanded.

Australia  Founded in 1770 by James Cook;  Convicts arrived in 1788 and founded Sydney;  Britain claimed entire continent in 1829;  1901 governed themselves to protect from other European powers.  Founded in 1770 by James Cook;  Convicts arrived in 1788 and founded Sydney;  Britain claimed entire continent in 1829;  1901 governed themselves to protect from other European powers.

New Zealand  Also sighted by James Cook;  British took control of the islands in 1840 from the Maori;  British granted New Zealand a constitution in 1852 and self- government.  Also sighted by James Cook;  British took control of the islands in 1840 from the Maori;  British granted New Zealand a constitution in 1852 and self- government.

Conclusion  In 1893 New Zealand became the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote;  In 1907 New Zealand joined the British Empire as a dominion.  In 1893 New Zealand became the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote;  In 1907 New Zealand joined the British Empire as a dominion.

Questions…  Questions?