Reform and Its Limits English Politics and Policy,

A rage of Reforms 1832 Reform Bill wasn’t final after all 1833 Factory Act 1833 slavery abolished in empire 1835 Municipal Corporations Act 1834 Poor Law No consensus on reform—self help, utilitarianism J. S. Mill’s idea of gradual amelioration of social conditions and emphasis on personal liberty eventually carried the day.

Repeal of Corn Laws Challenge for Robert Peel and Tory Democracy Richard Cobden and John Bright headed Anti- Corn Law League—advocated free trade Irish potato famine made corn-law repeal more urgent Peel got support from John Russell and Whigs and new that Wellington and Lords would go along for pragmatic reasons Repeal in 1846, but Peel’s enemies forced him from office.

Richard Cobden and John Bright

Chartism Universal manhood suffrage, secret ballot, equal electoral districts, annual parliaments, no property qualifications for M. P., salaries for M. P. Too many issues—but there were 3 million signatures on the 1842 petition. Chartism as a movement failed, but by end of 19 th century all but annual parliaments were enacted.

Chartist Newspapers

Queen Victoria, She reigned but did not rule Bedchamber Crisis (1839) showed that a monarch could affect parliamentary politics Married Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha—marriage was a good one and Albert was learned in continental matters. V. had many children and by end of century was “grandmother of all Europe.” John Brown scandal

“We are not amused”

Foreign Policy— Splendid Isolation but also active Britain began to support failing Ottoman Empire to keep Russia out of the Mediterranean 1839—Treaty of London—guaranteed Belgian neutrality ; , Henry Temple, Viscount Palmerston, ran foreign affairs and then was PM. Don Pacifico incident was quintessential Palmerston

Henry Temple, 3 rd Viscount Palmerston,

Crystal Palace Exposition, 1851 Iron and glass building in Hyde Park, 1851 feet long 22 weeks to build 15,000 exhibits from 41 countries 500,000 attended opening day Symbol of England’s apogee