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Published byJohnathan Burns Modified over 9 years ago
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Rotten and pocket boroughs Over powerful king Antiquated system New M/C interest, Capitalism French Revolution 1789 Radical Press Repressive government – esp. from 1815 - 22 Working class dissatisfaction Napoleonic Wars 1792-1815 End of war, 1815 Issues concerning Parliamentary reform
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Rotten and Pocket Boroughs: Control by landowner or King – Electorate & Parliamentary seat Uncontested elections Example of old medieval world – Feudal System Useful Parliamentary tool Over Powerful King: Patronage – Unfair means of increasing royal authority Largest landowner/landlord in the country Excessive influence on legislature for a democracy
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Antiquated system – esp. borough voting: X5 types of borough qualification Open voting Bribery / intimidation / corruption Rotten / pocket boroughs No reflection of population movement (South > North) No reflection of new interest, Industrialists Undemocratic & Out of kilter with economic & social changes
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New M/C interest, Capitalism: Parliament dominated by landowners M/C have no representation in Parliament Corn Laws 1815 damage capitalists Capitalists creating International economic & imperial growth Large taxes and no political voice Providing jobs
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French Revolution and radical ideas from 1789: Initially promotes calls for moderate reform in the UK From 1793 reform calls subdued by Napoleonic Wars New ideas among masses of a new social order Tom Paine: ‘Rights of Man’ – 1 st treatise on Human Rights Puts fear into upper and middle classes Promotes repressive legislation
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Radical Press: Raises mass awareness of benefits of reform - William Cobbett’s: Political Register & Twopenny Trash - Thomas Wooler’s: Black Dwarf, 1817 –24 - William Sherwin’s: Weekly Political Register Gives a voice to minority opinion Publicises incidents of corruption and government repression Advertises Parliamentary Reform Events Encourages improvement of literacy levels in the w/c
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Repressive government (Esp. from 1815 – 22): Fear of revolution prompts suspension of civil rights Determined to protect good order & elevated position Born to rule by divine right, revolutionaries go to hell Residuum would destroy the country Power of the state Repressive legislation Seditious Meetings/Materials Act (1817) Suspension of Habeus Corpus (1817) Repeal of the Combination Acts (1799) The Game Law (1816)
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Working class dissatisfaction: Appalling living and working conditions - The Death League - Child Labour - Routine exploitation at home and work W/C victims of unrestrained capitalism Secret vote for all men over 21 demanded W/C voters elect working men to parliament W/C government pass laws to benefit the w/c
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Napoleonic Wars 1793 - 1815: Employment level increases nationwide War creates demands for goods, Govt supplying soldiers Patriotic spirit from being under attack Little / No working class agitation Demands for reform during wartime seen as treachery Subdues radical demands, w/c happy to live everyday lives Shows a lack of commitment to the campaign for the vote
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End of the Napoleonic Wars, 1815: End of government contracts & cohesive patriotism Unemployment leads to; - Poverty - Hunger - Agitation riots - Petitions Fearful government & M/C Revert to post French Rev repression Execution, imprisonment, transportation, legislation Power of the state – Must be persuaded, Can’t be forced
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