Section 8.39 New Stirrings: The British Reform Movement

The wave of revolution Before 1760 Feudal traditions, ecclesiastical powers were challenged by monarchs American independence movement After 1760 –Challenged by lower classes –French revolution –English reform –Revolution movements in various locations all the way up to 1848

Onset of an Age of Democratic Revolution The Atlantic Revolution/Democratic Revolution (1760 to 1848) Took place on both sides of Atlantic Affirms the principles of the democratic society Transforms the civilization of the west Can be viewed as a mass movement but each case is different (American Revolution is conservative/moderate while French is radical)

It did: Call for Liberty and equality Favor explicit rights and written constitutions Proclaim sovereignty of the people Help to formulate the concept of national citizenship –Government derives power from people Call for the elimination of privilege, hereditary rights (anti aristocracy) Onset of an Age of Democratic Revolution

Call for Public officers are delegates chosen through election (not necessarily via universal suffrage) Call for an end to absolutism, feudalism, inherited rights (except property) Call for secular society –Connection between religion and citizenship was rejected Was led by the middle class (Bourgeois) and benefited the middle class End the world of noble values Onset of an Age of Democratic Revolution

It did not: demand universal suffrage try to establish a welfare state or a socialist state stand entirely against the idea of monarchy American Rev. was against Parliament, French Republic declared by default, Poles tried to strengthen monarchy Completely destroy the noble class Onset of an Age of Democratic Revolution

The English-Speaking Countries: Parliament and Reform British empire was decentralized (31 gov subordinate to Westminster) –All British empire consisted of less population of France or Austria (15 mil) Tone during Enlightenment –British thought was moderate, complacent, and self-satisfied with English Bill of Rights George III Lord North

The English-Speaking Countries: Parliament and Reform Government –Parliament is center of power –No despotism in England –George III knew he had to work through Parliament Created a new faction called the “king’s friends” via special favors, grants Led by Lord North ( ) and the Whig party Had not really developed a 2 party system yet George III Lord North

Discontentment –Spreads through a free press –Pamphlets –Anglo-Irish Protestant writers called for Ireland to have separate kingdom –Dissenters (Protestants against Anglican Church) lobbied for political equality (until 1828) –Commonwealth men wanted a “leveling” of society The English-Speaking Countries: Parliament and Reform

Disenfranchisement Parliament was corrupt and unrepresentative of the citizenry Bore no relation to number of inhabitants Town had to be a borough to send a rep to parliament but none were created since 1688 (or until 1832) Manchester (new town) had no representation –Boroughs varied in size violating one-man one-vote ideal –Reform movement led Parliament to shift from a select, closed body to a representative, open body

Began in 1769 when John Wilkes, who attacked policies of King, was expelled by monarchy dominated H. of Commons and publisher arrested –Reelected 3 times by House refused to seat him –His followers, called Supporters of the Bill of Rights, signed petitions A society dedicated to Parliamentary reform Debates in parliament began to be covered by the press!!! –Major John Cartwright “father of reform” Wrote pamphlets of reform –Richard Price Founder of actuarial statistics said that only 5, 723 people chose ½ the membership of House –Christopher Wyvil A landowner called for electoral reform as he saw borough elections corrupt & country elections in shires legitimate Disenfranchisement

Burke A conservative reformer (I know it’s an oxymoron) Founder of Philosophical conservatism did not favor universal male suffrage, frequent elections Not worried that House should be mathematically representative but rather that it be independent and responsible Believed Landowning interests should govern Members of Parliament should follow their own best judgment (not king or their constituents) Opposed “placemen” & ornamental offices, ranks Promoted reform within the system: appointments, ranks, titles Economical Reform of 1782 curtailed many of these patronage

Reform Movement Reform in England is delayed by anti-French reaction to the American and French Revolutions In face of challenges from abroad and conservative movements within, Parliament drifts toward centralization Had to deal with debts of the wars of the 1700s Revocation of the Massachusetts charter, disputes with provincial assemblies of Virginia and New York

Scotland, Ireland, India Scotland –Scotland highlands moved against England during 7 Years war Jacobites, with French assistance revolted in 1745 during W./ Austrian Succ. –Troops quartered to keep Scotland in check –Incorporated Highlanders into regiments of British army –Forbidden to wear the kilt or play bagpipes

Ireland –Strong anti-British sentiments –Pro-French sympathies –Inspired by American revolutionaries –British make concessions –1798 Irish try to drive out English –British suppress the rebellion, ban the Irish parliament –1801 Act of Union creates the United Kingdom (1922) Scotland, Ireland, India

India –English presence is ministered through the East India Company –Regulation Act of 1773 puts control under Parliament –Minister in India centralizes control over the colony under Parliament Scotland, Ireland, India European colonies in India