The Franchise (right to vote) Era of the Great War The Franchise (right to vote)

The Franchise (right to vote) In today’s class I am learning to: Describe the changes to voting rights in Britain up to 1928 Explain why more people in Britain got the right to vote

The Franchise (right to vote) In the early 1800s, Britain was not a democracy. Only a small number of men had the right to vote. However by 1928 this had completely changed.

The Franchise (right to vote)     Historically, choosing the government and the country’s laws was not done by ordinary people. MPs were expected to represent landowners and business interests, so there was no need for most men (or any women) to vote.                        

The Franchise (right to vote) By the early 1800s many people were demanding that this be changed. Due to the industrial revolution there were new (and rich) business owners that couldn’t vote but had to pay taxes; they wanted to have their say.

The Franchise (right to vote) As such in 1832 the Great Reform Act was passed. This new law meant that middle class men now had the right to vote (around one sixth of men benefitted). However other people (male and female) also wanted to get this right.

The Franchise (right to vote) Campaign groups like the Chartists demanded that all adult men be allowed to vote. In 1867 the Second Reform Act was passed, giving the vote to some working class men. Now around one third of men could vote.

The Franchise (right to vote) In 1884 the Third Reform Act was passed, giving the vote to more working class men. Now around two thirds of men could vote. More men felt they deserved the chance to vote, and women were encouraged too.

The Franchise (right to vote) Women especially were angry at being excluded from voting. Richer and more educated women argued that if poor men could vote, they should also have the right. They set up campaign groups to fight for this.

The Franchise (right to vote) During the Great War men and women played a major role in the war effort, whether at home or abroad. Some people argued that the government could not use their help to win the war and still deny them the right to vote.

The Franchise (right to vote) In 1918 Parliament agreed the Fourth Reform Act. This gave the vote to all men age 21 and over, regardless of their income or other facts. For the first time, some women age 30+ were also given the vote.

The Franchise (right to vote) Women being treated differently from men meant that they continued to campaign for changes. In 1928 the Equal Franchise Act was passed. This meant that all men and women aged 21+ had the vote.

Reasons for voting changes The Franchise (right to vote) Reasons for voting changes

The Franchise (right to vote) Britain’s voting reforms happened relatively quickly; almost no-one in the country had the right in 1831, and by 1928 all men and women could vote. There were various reasons that these changes took place.

The Franchise (right to vote) The industrial revolution changed Britain; more people lived in towns and cities and saw the poverty and problems everyone faced. This encouraged more people to want the vote to force the government to improve their lives.

The Franchise (right to vote) As a result of the industrial revolution there were also more business owners, many of whom were wealthy and used this to gain influence. When they got the vote it encouraged other people to demand this.

The Franchise (right to vote) Education and printing helped spread ideas which encouraged people to campaign for the vote. This led to campaign groups being set up, which allowed men and women that couldn’t vote to influence politics.

The Franchise (right to vote) Local and national government began to introduce changes which improved people’s lives, like access to clean water and pensions. More people then demanded the vote to force governments to keep listening to them.

The Franchise (right to vote) As more men got the vote, it was harder to stop women doing so. In particular, educated and wealthy women argued that it was unacceptable for poor men to vote, whilst female doctors and teachers could not.

The Franchise (right to vote) World War One had a major influence in voting rights too. Men had been forced to fight and women’s contribution was essential to victory. This made it harder to keep arguing that some groups shouldn’t vote.

The Franchise (right to vote) Other countries also influenced Britain. Men and women looked at countries where voting was more equal and demanded to be treated the same. Campaigners from these countries gave speeches on how they succeeded.