1. How
DEMOCRACY
INTRODUCTION

2. The Growth of Democracy
One of the main themes of the late 19th and early 20th century.
Democracy in a higher History essay must include: 1
The Franchise – The Vote – For Men and Women.
A Secret Ballot - Safety from intimidation or Violence.
Size of Constituencies – Fairness.
Representation- having a choice of MPs and political parties which have different policies. 2. 3. 4.

3. “ It’s not our recession”
Democracy Today - Do Not Copy
Everyone aged eighteen or over can vote, except for “lunatics”, Lords and some criminals.
Everyone’s vote is secret. Nobody has to tell anyone else how they have voted.
Britain is divided into 630 constituencies. They vary in geographical size but each constituency has roughly the same amount of voters. Each Constituency sends one MP (Member of Parliament) to Parliament in London.
Each voter in a constituency votes for one person whom they want to be their MP, from the list of candidates. Most of these candidates are from a political party (Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat, Scottish Nationalist etc,).
In each constituency the candidate who gets the most votes becomes MP and sits in the House of Commons. MPs are paid a salary.
The Party which has the most MPs forms the Government and its leader becomes Prime Minister.
There must be a General Election at least every 5 years.
Parliament consists of the House of Commons and House of Lords. The House of Commons has much more power than the House of Lords.
Tory Defence Policy
“ It’s not our recession”
LABOUR
LABOUR IN
EVERYBODY OUT
Vote for strikes & more Strikes & more Strikes: Conservatives

4. THE IMPACT OF DEMOCRACY
Reform acts widened the franchise to increasingly include working people
It produced movements which sought further reforms
Trade Unions The Chartists
Women’s Suffrage Movement
It produced a change in response from Government away from Laisser-Faire towards State involvement.
It produced changes in policy e.g. Liberal reforms ~ Pensions ~ National Insurance ~ School Meals.
Labour reforms ~ Nationalisation ~ National Health Service ~ National Insurance.
It produced strong central Government based on Westminster –

5. STEPS ON THE ROAD TO DEMOCRACY 1928
1948
End to Plural Voting
Women over 21 get the vote
1918
Women over 30 get the vote.
All men 21+ get vote
1911
MPs to be paid/Reduce power Lords
1884
The unskilled male worker gets the vote
1885
Redistribution of Seats Act
1872
1883
Corrupt & Illegal Practices act
The ballot is secret
1867
The Skilled workers get the vote
1832
The Middle Class get the vote

6. GREAT REFORM BILL
1832

7. THE GREAT PERIOD OF REFORMS
At the beginning of the nineteenth century power in Britain was in the hands of rich landowners. In parliament, in towns and cities, in the countryside, they ran affairs, and working people had little or no say in government. The system worked quite well during much of the eighteenth century. Most ordinary people were not interested in politics, and were used to obeying their “betters”.
But the great changes that you are reading about forced governments to think more about the lives of working classes. The middle classes (factory owners, businessmen, professional people like lawyers, doctors etc) also felt that they should have a share in running the country.
In 1832 very few people had a vote. During the century parliaments gradually and often reluctantly passed acts which gave more and more people this important privilege, which we now take for granted. .

8. Before 1832 –The Electoral System Depended Upon Property = LAND, This Was Wealth.
Before 1832 you Had To Be Male And Own Property to be allowed to vote.
In Scotland, before 1832 only 6,000 men were allowed to vote.
1832 1st Great reform Bill.
Middle Classes Received, The Vote (e.g. factory owners, businessmen, professional people like lawyers, doctors etc).
Now 1 in 6 of the male population could vote but poorer men and all women were still not allowed - This Was Still Not Democracy.

9. SO HOW DEMOCRATIC WAS BRITAIN AFTER 1832?
Great Reform Bill 1832
Granted the vote to merchants, professionals and manufacturers.
Only 1 in 6 adult males entitled to vote, no women
Demands for a secret ballot refused.
Some of worst rotten burghs gotten rid of but most big cities under-represented.
The right to vote only to those who owned property of a certain value – no working class.
SO HOW DEMOCRATIC WAS BRITAIN AFTER 1832?