1. Democracy Electing Representatives Voting What does this mean?
Voting in secret
Regular elections
Choice of political parties

2. Essay questions There are 2 possible questions for this unit
Why did Britain become Democratic?
How Democratic was Britain by (date)?

3. Britain in 1850 Political system shaped by 1832 Reform Act
Politics dominated by upper class
Franchise based on property
5 out 6 males could not vote
1.4 million voters out of population of 30 million
Voters mostly upper, land-owning class, large tenant farmers, upper middle class
Seats unequally distributed
Bribery and corruption widespread – open voting
Political parties had no organisation

4. 1832 Reform Act (context) TERMS Voting
Boroughs constituencies (towns) - men owning / renting property £10 a year
County constituencies (rural) - owners land worth £2 or more in rent
Seats
some redistribution towards industrial towns
LIMITS
Only 1 in 6 males had vote (1.4 million voters out of pop 30 million)
upper class dominated politics
Seats still distributed unfairly
Bribery / intimidation
Political parties - Tories and Whigs had no organisation and represented upper classes
EFFECT
Lead to further calls for reform

5. Why did Britain become more Democratic?
SOCIAL & ECONOMIC CHANGE
Industrial Revolution – new middle class
Development of basic education
Development of cheap popular newspapers
Spread of railways – create national political identity
Less fear of revolutionary “mob” – skilled working class more educated
Increasing urbanisation – pressure redistribution seats
Impact of WW1 – issue votes for women

6. Why did Britain become more Democratic?
CHANGING IDEOLOGY AND ATTITUDES
Influences from abroad increased political awareness
American Civil War – Gettysburg address
Italian Independence
French revolution
Germany – Bismarck’s social reform

7. Why did Britain become more Democratic?
POLITICAL COMPETITION
Rivalry between Liberals (Whigs) and Conservatives (Tories)
Conservatives passed 1867 Reform Act (previously against)
Liberals argued for secret ballot (free working class from influence of bosses/landlords)
Liberals – Corrupt Illegal Practices Act – limit amount spent by Conservatives
Reforms 1880s provided distractions from foreign policy problems facing Liberals

8. Why did Britain become more Democratic?
POPULAR PRESSURE
Impact campaigns
National Reform League
Reform League
Danger of withholding franchise from working class
Key individuals
Lord John Russell
Gladstone
John Stuart Mill (writer)
Impact Suffragette campaign