1. Liberal Reforms in G.B. & Its Empire

2.  Industrial Revolution brought wealth & power to G.B.  Spread political philosophy, liberalism, supported gov. protection of individual rights & civil liberties  Those who believed in liberalism were active in politics & wanted reform  Some reforms were aimed at extending suffrage, or right to vote.  Corrected social/economic problems, abolished slavery/slave trade

3.  G.B. one of 1 st nations to limit monarch  Worker & middle class began to demand changes in voting system  Members of upper class resisted  Parliament passed Catholic Emancipation Act, allowing Catholics to serve in Par. If they recognized Protestant monarch as ruler of G.B.  Still wanted more reforms

4.  The Reform Bill of 1832 took seat in House of Commons away from less populated areas & gave to industrial cities  Also gave people w/ less property right to vote  Middle class now had voice in G.B. gov. & par.  Whig Party won support of new voters  Whigs joined w/ Radicals, & liberals to form Liberal Party  Wealthy party known as Conservative Party

5.  Major social & economic changes took place in G.B.  Factory Act of 1833 worked to reform horrible working conditions of women & children  Liberal Party took 1 st step toward free public educ.  Liberal Party helped eliminate Corn Laws: placed high taxes on grain imported by G.B.  G.B.’s 1 st step toward free trade

6.  Working class still felt voices gone unheard  William Lovett found London Workingmen’s Association  Worked for universal male suffrage  Secret ballot  Equalize parliamentary representation throughout country  Salaries for members of Par., so workers could afford to enter politics

7.  Proposed doc. known as People’s Charter  Supporters of Lovett & call for reform were called Chartists  Chartists movement became widely popular among British workers  Social & economic conditions gradually improved, but power declined  Chartist movement ended, but many reform became law

8.  King William IV died w/ no heirs  18 yr-old niece Victoria became queen  Rule of Queen Victoria lasted 63 yrs & known as Victorian Age  Gave p.m. free hand & didn’t interfere  Leader of Conservative Party, Benjamin Disraeli, twice served as p.m.  Guided foreign affairs & expand empire

9.  Leader of Liberal Party, William Gladstone, served 4 yrs as p.m.  Concerned w/ domestic & financial affairs  Par. made many reforms  Created national elementary educ. system  Secret ballot gave vote to male agricultural workers  Failed to solve “Irish Question” …  Act of Union linked Ireland to G.B. & disbanded Ireland’s Parliament  Most Irish hated British rule

10.  Irish had little representation in Par.  B/c most Irish were Catholic, were upset having to pay taxes that supported Anglican Church  Liberals wanted Ireland to have home rule – could vote for themselves  Conservatives wanted G.B. to rule  Politics hurt Irish farmers – poor left to suffer  Potato crop failed & famine swept Ireland  Gladstone unsuccessfully fought for home rule

12.  In 1905, Liberal Party return to power  Passed numerous social welfare laws  Provided old-age pensions  Health insurance  Unemployment insurance  To pay for new programs, Par. raise taxes  Higher taxes on wealthy  Angered House of Lords  Liberals took steps to limit power of lords

13.  Took away lords’ power to veto any tax or spending bill  Beginning of late 1800s, many women in G.B. became suffragettes: women who campaigned for their right to vote  They were led by Emmeline Pankhurst & her daughter Christabel  Would petitioned Parliament & demonstrated  They became increasingly determined & disruptive  However, not won until after WWI