Many historians believe that popular discontent was one of the most significant‚ if not the most significant reason‚ for the passing Great Reform Act of 1832; Gash said “the unreformed system had by 1830 one gross demerit...It was not regarded as satisfactory by the bulk of informed and influential opinion in the country”. Others however feel that external events such as the revolution in Paris or Catholic emancipation may have triggered the change in mood of the Whigs as well as extra parliamentary
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How significant was the Great Reform Act of 1832? The Great Reform Act passed in 1832 was brought in due to a number of inside and outside pressures. For example‚ the fall of the Tories and the economic crisis of 1829-30. Britain pre 1832 was known as one of the most unrepresentative countries. English counties elected 82 MPs-only men who owned property worth over 40 shillings a year could elect these MPs (only the ruling classes.)Boroughs or towns elected 394 MPs-most voters were in southern England
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Why was the reform act of 1832 passed? There were several major factors involved in the build up to the reform act which all led to the government having to enforce the reform act to keep the people happy. The voting system was extremely out of date‚ having not been altered since the 18th century and the government had not taken into consideration the demographic changes with had taken place since then. There were many rotten boroughs (Areas which had low vote to high representation ratio) and
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To what extent was the 1832 Reform Act the most important development in politics and government between 1780 and 1832 (36) Overall‚ the 1832 Reform Act was a major development in politics and government between 1780 and 1832; however it was not the most important development. It still remained significant to the growth of the period as this was the first official governmental document on reform that was introduced and it set a precedent for further reforms. Whilst it only removed the worst
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Explain why the great reform act of 1832 was passed A major factor in the passing of the great reform act was the old electoral system‚ which was extremely unorganised and unfair. In cities like Manchester there was little representation but Old Sarum‚ a town with a population of just 15‚ could get two seats in parliament. Bribery in the electoral system was common due to there being no secret ballots; usually the person that was voted into parliament was the person that could provide the best bribes
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Explain why there was a demand for parliamentary reform 1780-1832? The British government during the 1700’s consisted of the king‚ who was the head of state and Ministers from the landed gentry who often gained their seats through corrupt methods. As a result of the American revolution Britain received a tremendous shock to its system with the loss of the thirteen colonies. The war revealed Britain’s limitations and this heightened dissension and escalated political antagonism towards the
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How successful was Lord Liverpool’s government in responding to Popular Discontent in the years 1815 to 1820? Lord Liverpool’s government faced popular discontent in the years 1815 to 1820 due to various social‚ political and economic factors which led to the majority of the British Public wanting a change. A change in government‚ government policies and a change to overcome the mass unemployment they were suffering from as a direct result of the end of the Napoleonic War‚ industrialisation and
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brought about greater justice and freedom for the common man and limited royal influence. In the same ways‚ the reform act of 1832 warranted the title. It was by no means a revolutionary measure‚ nor “the final solution of a great constitutional question” as Russell had put it‚ but both symbolically and physically‚ it spelt change for Britain. This in itself showed its greatness – despite Pitt having attempted reform in the 1780s‚ and the issue having repeatedly returned to parliament‚ no reform had
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Popular pressure for reform goes back to the 18th century during Pitt’s time in office. During the French revolution‚ the government had to produce a series of repressive measures to avoid parliamentary reform. It is tempting to see the 1832 Reform Act entirely as a response to popular pressure. There was mass radical agitation due to the economic depression; swing riots had occurred in 1830‚ and the BPU was threatening an alliance between the middle and lower class behind p.reform. However the reality
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Why was the reform act passed in 1867? Which factor was most important? In 1886 Gladstone had proposed a moderate reform bill‚ it would’ve enfranchised an additional 400‚000 men. However it was fiercely opposed by the government. Disraeli in particular feared that extending the franchise challenged the authority of his aristocracy. However‚ when the conservatives returned to office later in the year‚ Disraeli decided to press for reform. In fact the reform was even more radical than the first. There
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