How did Britain become more democratic?

Democracy Bingo

Constituency Socialism Radicalism Suffrage Franchise Ballot House of Lords Rotten Borough Pocket Borough Parliament William Gladstone

1. Draw a grid with 6 squares

2. Pick 6 words 3. Listen to the

definitions4. First to Full House

gets a prize!

Gladstone fought for extension of the franchise

But clashed with Lord Palmerston in 1864 when Gladstone was Chancellor of Exchequer and Palmerston was PM.

Is there any doubt that the people living in the countryside are

capable citizens, qualified for the vote and able to make good use of

their power as voter? 1884

Lord Palmerston (starter): "Hi! Gladstone! Democracy!Too soon, Too soon! You mustn't go yet!"John Tenniel, Punch Magazine, 28th May, 1864

William Gladstone: "Permit me to explain democracy."Lord Palmerston: "Oh, bother your explanation! You've blown your horse, and you are out of the race."John Tenniel, Punch Magazine, 11th June, 1864

What was the proposal?

1866 attempts?

Voters: Electorate increased by 1, 120,000. Now stands at 2.5 million.

Constituencies: many disenfranchised 52 seats redistributed, 25 went to counties,

19 to the boroughs, one to London university and 2 to Scottish universities, 5 to Scotland

The Second Reform Act, 1867

The Second Reform Act, 1867 –Failures

Did not alter the balance of political power – middle class in boroughs and counties and aristocracy still retained the vote.

Electorate still largely remained the same but had greatly benefitted the newer towns.

Parties had to develop national organisations as boroughs increased voters therefore needed a different approach to campaigning. Less independent MPs standing for election.

To make a country democratic, it is not enough to just widen the franchise – the RIGHT TO VOTE is not the only feature of a democratic country.

The system must be fairer and more representative: ACCOUNTABILITY TO VOTERS OPPORTUNITY TO BE AN MP FAIRNESS ACCESS TO INFORMATION CHOICE

Representation – 3rd Reform Act The Representation of the People Act

1884

1. P9 How much did the electorate increase to as a result of the Representation of the People Act?

2. Who could now vote that couldn’t before?3. In what way did they make town and city

dwellers more equal?4. P10 What were the limitations of this Act?

HISTORIOGRAPHY – FOR and AGAINST 1884 P9 Read the historians’ view and summarise the

main points of Smout, Cole and Thomson.

They were UNELECTED They had POWER to BLOCK, VETO proposals (bills) for new laws. They often blocked bills to make the country more democratic!

1. P13 What was the original purpose of the House of Lords?2. Why was their position questioned?3. Describe the events which triggered the Parliament Act of 1911.4. What were the terms of this bill?5. How did they get the House of Lords to agree to the changes?

House of LordsPROBLEM!

Issue 2 How did Britain become more democratic?

How did Britain become more democratic?

Extension of Franchise – 1867-1928

Distribution of seats

Ending corruption and

intimidation

Expanding membership of

House of Commons

Changing role of House of

Lords

Local landowners could not dominate politics anymore so had to work on their powers of PERSUASION.

Describe the 2 methods they developed to organise the party better. (p16)

PRIMROSE LEAGUE est. 1883 – Conservative principles

NATIONAL LIBERAL FEDERATION est. 1887 – Union of Welsh and English Liberals

CONSERVATIVE CENTRAL OFFICEest. 1870 – Conservative Party

PARTY ORGANISATION

This is important because for most of the 19th century MPs were unpaid and had to own land. The issue of payment for MPs never arose as a result.

1911 Parliament Act gave a salary of £400 for MPs to allow ordinary people greater access to the political process.

Opportunity to be an MP

The secret ballot act and extension of the franchise had excited a population eager for news and information.

Railways helped the speed and delivery of information. Newspapers spread across the nation and politicians used trains as transport between constituencies to give speeches and lead rallies.

Access to information

Why could Britain not be called democratic in 1850?

Vote not universal, most men and all women were excluded.

Votes were cast publicly. Voters were intimidated or bribed. Rotten boroughs Some large constituencies had no MP 5 out of 6 males still could not vote. MP’s were unpaid. MP’s had to be landowners. House of Lords had power to veto any new bill.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4CHsWMV3Es&list=PL0BFE1170FE97E375 Gladstone and Disraeli Clash of the Titans

USA essay plan/mind map

To what extent was the formation of effective black organisations, the main reason for the development of a Civil Rights Campaign after 1945?

Homework – yellow jotters