1. THE STRUGGLE FOR THE VOTE

2. The Battle for Change before 1832
The industrial revolution had created a new wealthy middle class in the towns who did not have the vote
To vote in Britain before 1832 you had to own land that was worth more than 40 shillings.
Why didn’t the Government want to give the vote to the working class?
There was no secret ballot like today

3. The Battle for Change 1832 A Reform Act was passed in 1832
HOWEVER, it only gave the vote to middle class men
All women and the working class were left out

4. The Chartists
Working class people were disappointed by the Reform Act and many joined together in Chartist groups.
The Chartists campaigned for votes for the working class. They demanded:
The vote for every man over 21
A secret ballot
No property qualification for MPs
Payment for MPs
Equal constituencies
Annual Parliaments

5. The Chartists
Some Chartists wanted to win by peaceful persuasion. They presented Parliament with three huge petitions – which were ignored
Others believed they could only win by using Physical Force – there were strikes and riots.

6. Votes for Working Class Men
In 1867 better-off working class men in towns got the vote.
- Male house owners over 21
- Male lodgers who paid pounds in rent

7. Other Important Events
The Secret Ballot Act 1872
1911 – MPs were given a salary
In 1884 working class men in the countryside got the vote
In 1918 Property qualifications for men were abolished and women over 30 gained the vote
1928 – all women over 21 given the vote

8. Votes for Young People - 1969
In 1969 the voting age was lowered to 18
Now every British Citizen can vote unless you are:
Insane
In prison
A Lord
What next? Votes
at 16?