1. Chapter 11 Section 1 Britain Becomes More Democratic

2. Lesson Objectives
Describe how reformers worked to change Parliament in the 1800s.
Understand the values that Queen Victoria represented.
Summarize how the Liberal and Conservative parties helped bring the new ear to British politics.

3. Reformers sought to change Parliament in the 1800’s
1815 Britain was constitutional monarchy
Parliament; 2 political parties, dominated by wealthy landowners
Far from democratic
House of Commons elected by less than 5% of the people
House of Lords
Could veto any bill passed by Commons
Held most of the power in Parliament

4. Reformers sought to change Parliament in the 1800’s
Some changes
1820’s parliament allowed Catholics & nonAnglican (Church of England) Protestants political rights
With industrial revolution many rural towns lost so many people, had few or no voters
Land owners sent representatives to Parliament became known as rotten boroughs
Large new industrial cities had no representatives

5. Reformers sought to change Parliament in the 1800’s
Reform Act of 1832
Battle between Whigs & Tories
Whigs – middle class w/ business interests
Tories – nobles, landowners w/ agricultural interests
Redistributed seats in House of Commons
Gave representatives to large towns & cities
Eliminated rotten boroughs
Suffrage to more men but kept property requirement for voting
Gave greater political voice to middle class men

6. Reformers sought to change Parliament in the 1800’s
1830’s protesters known as Chartists drew up People’s Charter
Demanded: universal manhood suffrage, yearly parliamentary elections, salaries for members of Parliament
Presented petitions to Parliament twice w/ million+ signatures but Parliament ignored the petitions

7. The Victorian Age
From (longest reign in British history) Queen Victoria was great symbol in British life
Had little political power, but she set tone for the Victorian age with strict code of morals
Victorian values: duty, thrift, honesty, hard work, but most of all RESPECTABILITY
Britain expanded its huge empire
India
300 million subjects around the world

8. Liberal & Conservative Parties helped bring a new era to British politics & extend right to vote to more people
Benjamin Disraeli – Tories> Conservative Party
William Gladstone – Whigs> Liberal Party

9. Liberal & Conservative Parties helped bring a new era to British politics & extend right to vote to more people
alternated control of Parliament
Gave vote to farmers
Pushed for reforms in Ireland
By 1900 many Chartist goals were achieved including secret ballot
Early 1900’s House of Lords had begun to be mainly ceremonial & had little power