Why do politics matter? Why do politics matter?

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What does Democracy What does Democracy mean? mean?

‘‘Democracy’ comes from the Greek ‘demos’ Democracy’ comes from the Greek ‘demos’ meaning people and ‘kratos’ meaning power meaning people and ‘kratos’ meaning power

People Power! People Power! DemocracyDemocracy is a system of government which is a system of government which

permits some effective control by the people permits some effective control by the people over their government. Democracy requires over their government. Democracy requires governments to be answerable to the people governments to be answerable to the people i.e. the right to vote at regular intervals to i.e. the right to vote at regular intervals to remove inefficient and unpopular remove inefficient and unpopular governments from power and keep some governments from power and keep some control over what governments do with their control over what governments do with their power. power.

Elements of a DemocracyElements of a Democracy

1.1. Adult suffrage for men and women over 18Adult suffrage for men and women over 182.2. A secret ballotA secret ballot3.3. Freedom from intimidation, corruption and Freedom from intimidation, corruption and

briberybribery4.4. The right to participate in the political process by The right to participate in the political process by

voting in electionsvoting in elections5.5. The right to membership of a political party The right to membership of a political party 6.6. Elections every 5 yearsElections every 5 years7.7. Referenda on major national issuesReferenda on major national issues8.8. Government which rests on majority support in Government which rests on majority support in

the House of Commons the House of Commons 9.9. A free press with the right to criticise. A free press with the right to criticise.

Was Britain democratic in Was Britain democratic in 1850?1850?

In 1832 a Reform Act was passed which was to In 1832 a Reform Act was passed which was to become known as ‘the great reform act’ become known as ‘the great reform act’

Until this time there had been little change in Until this time there had been little change in the franchise system for hundreds of years. the franchise system for hundreds of years.

At the beginning of the 19thC British parliament At the beginning of the 19thC British parliament was dominated by the aristocracy. (landowning was dominated by the aristocracy. (landowning upper class) upper class)

They could control who voted and who could They could control who voted and who could become MP’s (member of parliament) become MP’s (member of parliament)

What was society like in the 19What was society like in the 19thth Century? Century?

THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

A CLASS SOCIETYA CLASS SOCIETY

1. The Aristocracy1. The Aristocracy

2. Professionals2. Professionals ScientistsScientists PhysiciansPhysicians AttorneysAttorneys ClergyClergy LiteratiLiterati Military OfficersMilitary Officers

3. Merchants and Bankers3. Merchants and Bankers4. Tradespeople4. Tradespeople5. Working Class5. Working Class

Domestic ServantsDomestic Servants Hired laborHired labor ApprenticesApprentices The Unemployed: The Unemployed:

debtors, beggars,thievesdebtors, beggars,thieves

6. Peasants6. Peasants

Brawling peasants at Tyburn Gate, London. The Warder

Collection. MORNING

city bustle

Peddlar hawking tarts. The Warder Collection.

Large movements of peoplefrom the country to the cities.Shift from agrarian to urbanlifestyles.

Poverty and UnemploymentPoverty and UnemploymentDisplaced agrarian laborDisplaced agrarian laborNo social safety netNo social safety netEducation only for those Education only for those

who could paywho could payChild laborChild laborCheap ginCheap ginCholeraCholera

Gin Lane (1751). Etching and Engraving by William

Hogarth. ,The New York Public Library.

Was Britain democratic in Was Britain democratic in 1850?1850?

4.16% of the British population could vote- this 4.16% of the British population could vote- this means that only four out of every 100 people means that only four out of every 100 people could vote!could vote!

However 19thC Britain was changing rapidly. The However 19thC Britain was changing rapidly. The industrial revolution was changing the structure industrial revolution was changing the structure of society and economy. of society and economy.

Landowners were no longer the sole creators of Landowners were no longer the sole creators of wealth wealth

Middle class entrepreneurs, merchants, Middle class entrepreneurs, merchants, industrialists and traders argued they should industrialists and traders argued they should have the vote as a natural consequence of their have the vote as a natural consequence of their new economic power. new economic power.

Attitudes of the time Attitudes of the time “The British constitution is the best that ever was since the creation of the

world, and it is not possible to make it any

better.”

Lord Braxfield 1793

“Britain is land. It is therefore the right of the landowners – those who own the land of Britain- who deserve the right to govern. As long as the land lasts so does their commitment to sound

government. The rabble? They own nothing of Britain and cannot be

trusted.”

The Duke of Wellington 1829

The 1832 Reform Act The 1832 Reform Act Before this act around 5,000 people in Scotland Before this act around 5,000 people in Scotland

had the vote. had the vote. Afterwards this number rose to 60,000Afterwards this number rose to 60,000 However the population of Scotland at this time However the population of Scotland at this time

was 2.6 million. was 2.6 million. 5 out of 6 males still could not vote.5 out of 6 males still could not vote. The reform changes reflected changes caused by The reform changes reflected changes caused by

industrialisation and urbanisation. industrialisation and urbanisation. The right of depopulated areas to elect an MP The right of depopulated areas to elect an MP

was taken away and busy towns got more MPs to was taken away and busy towns got more MPs to represent them. represent them.

Results Results Working class people were disappointed Working class people were disappointed The vote was given to upper middleclass The vote was given to upper middleclass

people who owned their own propertypeople who owned their own property MPs were still unpaid and to be an MP you still MPs were still unpaid and to be an MP you still

had to own property. had to own property. Parliament was still dominated by wealthy Parliament was still dominated by wealthy

property ownersproperty owners There was no secret ballot so people could There was no secret ballot so people could

still be threatened and bribedstill be threatened and bribed Britain was nowhere near being democratic.Britain was nowhere near being democratic.

It took 8 more reform Acts to achieve the It took 8 more reform Acts to achieve the democratic society we have today.democratic society we have today.

The Reform ActsThe Reform Acts 1867 Parliamentary Reform Act1867 Parliamentary Reform Act

1872 Secret Ballot Act1872 Secret Ballot Act

1883 The Corrupt and Illegal Practices Act of 18831883 The Corrupt and Illegal Practices Act of 1883

1884 Parliamentary Reform Act1884 Parliamentary Reform Act

1885 Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 Redistribution of Seats Act

1911 Parliament Act1911 Parliament Act

1918 Representation of the People Act1918 Representation of the People Act

1928 Representation of the People Act1928 Representation of the People Act

In mid-Victorian Britain, the electoral system which In mid-Victorian Britain, the electoral system which had been put in place by the 1832 parliamentary had been put in place by the 1832 parliamentary Reform Act was coming under increasing pressure. Reform Act was coming under increasing pressure. Society had undergone and was undergoing Society had undergone and was undergoing important changes. There was increased important changes. There was increased urbanisation and industrialisation throughout Britain urbanisation and industrialisation throughout Britain and in general, society was experiencing significant and in general, society was experiencing significant change.change.

However, despite such change, the However, despite such change, the government of the country was still carried government of the country was still carried out by the middle and upper classes and out by the middle and upper classes and was elected by a small minority of the was elected by a small minority of the population. As British society changed and population. As British society changed and developed, the question arose as to who developed, the question arose as to who had the right to control that society and had the right to control that society and whether there should be changes in the whether there should be changes in the political system. political system.

By the mid-1860s, pressure for political By the mid-1860s, pressure for political reform was building up in Britain and the reform was building up in Britain and the years after 1850 saw the growth and years after 1850 saw the growth and expression of the working class voice in expression of the working class voice in politics. There was a distinct drift of power to politics. There was a distinct drift of power to urban Britain from the rural areas and with urban Britain from the rural areas and with this shift came the decline in power of the old this shift came the decline in power of the old land-owning aristocracy and the latter's land-owning aristocracy and the latter's power declined further with the spread of power declined further with the spread of new political ideas and the changing political new political ideas and the changing political ideology of the country. ideology of the country.

Effects of the Industrial RevolutionEffects of the Industrial Revolution

The industrial revolution changed where The industrial revolution changed where people lived and how they worked. People people lived and how they worked. People began to question their position in society. began to question their position in society.

A new class emerged. The Middle class were A new class emerged. The Middle class were those who created wealth through owning those who created wealth through owning and running factories argued that they should and running factories argued that they should have more of a say in running the country. have more of a say in running the country.

The development of basic education through charity The development of basic education through charity schools and the availability of cheap news papers raised schools and the availability of cheap news papers raised working class political awareness. working class political awareness.

The spread of the Railways helped to create a national The spread of the Railways helped to create a national political identity as people met others from different areas political identity as people met others from different areas and spoke of political issues and ideas. and spoke of political issues and ideas.

There was less fear of a revolutionary mob as the skilled There was less fear of a revolutionary mob as the skilled working class became more educated with many working class became more educated with many attending night school this led to more respect for the attending night school this led to more respect for the working classes.working classes.

The skilled working classes gained further respect when The skilled working classes gained further respect when they took a pay cut rather than work with cotton that had they took a pay cut rather than work with cotton that had been picked by slaves showing that they had a moral been picked by slaves showing that they had a moral conscience and were not just a ‘mob’. conscience and were not just a ‘mob’.

A skilled working class was vital for the A skilled working class was vital for the economic success of Britain and therefore economic success of Britain and therefore they needed to be looked after.they needed to be looked after.

Increasing urbanisation led to pressure for Increasing urbanisation led to pressure for the redistribution of parliamentary seats. the redistribution of parliamentary seats. 1867, 1885, 1918. 1867, 1885, 1918.

By the mid nineteenth century, political By the mid nineteenth century, political ideas of the right of individuals to express ideas of the right of individuals to express their opinions freely and the rights of adults their opinions freely and the rights of adults to choose the government which ruled over to choose the government which ruled over them were becoming increasingly popular. them were becoming increasingly popular.

The American Civil War of 1861 to 1865 The American Civil War of 1861 to 1865 provided a stimulus to reform and renewed provided a stimulus to reform and renewed the debate of political rights in Britain. the debate of political rights in Britain. Popular enthusiasm for democratic Popular enthusiasm for democratic sentiment grew with support for the sentiment grew with support for the Northern cause in the war. As the British Northern cause in the war. As the British government tended to support these moves government tended to support these moves elsewhere it seemed logical that such elsewhere it seemed logical that such moves in Britain should also be supported.moves in Britain should also be supported.

Lincolns Gettysburg Address inspired many Lincolns Gettysburg Address inspired many to call for a greater influence in the to call for a greater influence in the running of their country. running of their country.

‘‘-- that this nation, under God, shall have -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the for the people, shall not perish from the earth.’ earth.’

Political changePolitical change

According to the historian D G Wright in his work According to the historian D G Wright in his work Democracy and ReformDemocracy and Reform which was published which was published in 1970, "Parliamentary reform was largely a in 1970, "Parliamentary reform was largely a reflection of changes in the economic and reflection of changes in the economic and social structure of the country." So, what were social structure of the country." So, what were the reasons why Britain became more the reasons why Britain became more democratic between 1867 and 1928?democratic between 1867 and 1928?

Political recognitionPolitical recognition

In 1864 Gladstone, the future Prime In 1864 Gladstone, the future Prime Minister, became a focus for attention when Minister, became a focus for attention when he declared that "Every man who is not he declared that "Every man who is not presumably incapacitated by some presumably incapacitated by some consideration of personal fitness or of consideration of personal fitness or of political danger is morally entitled to come political danger is morally entitled to come within the pale of the Constitution, provided within the pale of the Constitution, provided this does not lead to sudden or violent or this does not lead to sudden or violent or excessive, or intoxicating political change."excessive, or intoxicating political change."

Public figures that supported political Public figures that supported political reform became very popular and caught the reform became very popular and caught the public imagination. The generally peaceful public imagination. The generally peaceful behaviour of skilled workers, their interest behaviour of skilled workers, their interest in political matters and their educational in political matters and their educational achievements were noted by Gladstone in achievements were noted by Gladstone in 1866 when he stated that it would be 1866 when he stated that it would be unwise for Parliament to ignore the unwise for Parliament to ignore the "increased fitness of the working class for "increased fitness of the working class for political power".political power".

Reform movementsReform movements

In 1864 the National Reform Union was formed In 1864 the National Reform Union was formed to promote the idea of common interests to promote the idea of common interests between the middle and working classes. It between the middle and working classes. It argued that the political aims of the two classes argued that the political aims of the two classes were similar and that they could work together were similar and that they could work together in the field of politics. The organisation in the field of politics. The organisation campaigned for the secret ballot, equal seat campaigned for the secret ballot, equal seat distribution and votes for all ratepayers, distribution and votes for all ratepayers, amongst other things.amongst other things.

Also founded in 1864 was the Reform League Also founded in 1864 was the Reform League which was a much more radical movement, which was a much more radical movement, working for manhood suffrage and a secret ballot. working for manhood suffrage and a secret ballot. The League attracted many followers, ranging The League attracted many followers, ranging from trade unionists, socialists and former from trade unionists, socialists and former Chartist sympathisers Chartist sympathisers

There was a real fear that it might be dangerous There was a real fear that it might be dangerous to withhold the vote from the working classes after to withhold the vote from the working classes after a demonstration at Hyde park turned into a riot in a demonstration at Hyde park turned into a riot in July 1866July 1866

Within the Liberal Party, radicals believed Within the Liberal Party, radicals believed that before further political reforms could be that before further political reforms could be made Parliament would have to be changed. made Parliament would have to be changed.

Political advantagePolitical advantagePoliticians often believed they could gain political Politicians often believed they could gain political

advantages from passing reforms advantages from passing reforms 1867 Reform Act passed by the conservatives after 1867 Reform Act passed by the conservatives after

being in opposition for many years arguably trying to being in opposition for many years arguably trying to win votes.win votes.

‘‘Dish the Whigs by stealing the Liberals clothes.’ Dish the Whigs by stealing the Liberals clothes.’ Conservatives believed that if they gave the vote to Conservatives believed that if they gave the vote to working class men in the towns then these men would working class men in the towns then these men would vote conservative in future elections. In 1867 the vote conservative in future elections. In 1867 the Conservatives party stole many of the Liberals ideas Conservatives party stole many of the Liberals ideas (stole their clothes) and spoiled their chances of (stole their clothes) and spoiled their chances of winning support from working class men. An old winning support from working class men. An old fashioned word for spoiling something is to dish it and fashioned word for spoiling something is to dish it and an old name for the Liberals was Whig. an old name for the Liberals was Whig.

Liberal party also tried to gain political advantage. Liberal party also tried to gain political advantage. John Bright argued for the Secret ballot to free the John Bright argued for the Secret ballot to free the working class electorate from fear of retaliation by working class electorate from fear of retaliation by bosses and landlords. bosses and landlords.

Corrupt and Illegal Practices Act: it is possible to ague Corrupt and Illegal Practices Act: it is possible to ague that it was a pragmatic move by the Liberals. By that it was a pragmatic move by the Liberals. By limiting the amount spent on elections they might limiting the amount spent on elections they might reduce advantages held by wealthier conservativesreduce advantages held by wealthier conservatives

Reforms of 1880s could be argued that they served as Reforms of 1880s could be argued that they served as a distraction from foreign policy problems facing a distraction from foreign policy problems facing Liberal government (Ireland ~refusal of tenants to pay Liberal government (Ireland ~refusal of tenants to pay rent to English landlords)rent to English landlords)

Redistribution of Seats Act Liberals hoped for political Redistribution of Seats Act Liberals hoped for political advantage from urban voters now being more fairly advantage from urban voters now being more fairly represented. represented.

By the end of the nineteenth century the By the end of the nineteenth century the trade union movement was gaining pace. trade union movement was gaining pace. Many Liberals saw the unions as direct Many Liberals saw the unions as direct competition for the support of the working competition for the support of the working classes. As membership of the trade union classes. As membership of the trade union movement grew, some Liberals thought movement grew, some Liberals thought the only way to win back this support was the only way to win back this support was through democratic reform. through democratic reform.

SocialismSocialism

By the 1870s, many trade unionists supported a By the 1870s, many trade unionists supported a new ideology called socialism which appeared to new ideology called socialism which appeared to offer a brighter future for the working class. offer a brighter future for the working class. Socialists believed that industrialisation had Socialists believed that industrialisation had made life better for the rich but worse for the made life better for the rich but worse for the poor people. Marxists and some of the more poor people. Marxists and some of the more militant socialists believed that the only way this militant socialists believed that the only way this unfair system could be changed would be by an unfair system could be changed would be by an act of violent revolution.act of violent revolution.

As such, socialism was seen by many As such, socialism was seen by many landowners and businessmen as a real landowners and businessmen as a real threat to their interests. If large numbers of threat to their interests. If large numbers of people were denied the vote then they people were denied the vote then they might be attracted to such new dangerous might be attracted to such new dangerous political ideologies. Thus, by including political ideologies. Thus, by including more of the working class in the political more of the working class in the political system they might be more easily system they might be more easily controlled and less likely to support such controlled and less likely to support such revolutionary ideas.revolutionary ideas.

The Labour PartyThe Labour Party

By the end of the nineteenth century, trade By the end of the nineteenth century, trade unions recognised that they needed a voice in unions recognised that they needed a voice in Parliament if they wanted to change the political Parliament if they wanted to change the political nature of Britain. A series of anti-union laws had nature of Britain. A series of anti-union laws had been passed which weakened the position of been passed which weakened the position of trade unions and in 1900 the unions agreed to trade unions and in 1900 the unions agreed to use some of their funds to set up a new use some of their funds to set up a new organisation called the Labour Representation organisation called the Labour Representation Committee, this being named the Labour Party Committee, this being named the Labour Party after 1906.after 1906.

The party was initially set up to represent the The party was initially set up to represent the interests of the trade unions and their interests of the trade unions and their members in Parliament. During the early years members in Parliament. During the early years of the twentieth century the Labour Party grew of the twentieth century the Labour Party grew steadily in influence. In the 1906 general steadily in influence. In the 1906 general election it had 29 MPs elected to Parliament. election it had 29 MPs elected to Parliament. Four years later it managed 42 MPs. After Four years later it managed 42 MPs. After WWI, the Labour Party changed from being WWI, the Labour Party changed from being purely the political wing of the trade unions to purely the political wing of the trade unions to being a broader political party along the lines being a broader political party along the lines of the two other parties - the Liberals and the of the two other parties - the Liberals and the Conservatives. By 1922, the Labour Party had Conservatives. By 1922, the Labour Party had successfully become the Opposition party to successfully become the Opposition party to the Conservative government. the Conservative government.

World War IWorld War I

World War 1 influenced the growth of democracy World War 1 influenced the growth of democracy in Britain also. There had been plans to change in Britain also. There had been plans to change the rules about voting as they applied to men the rules about voting as they applied to men during the war and it was suggested that some during the war and it was suggested that some women might be included in the proposals. women might be included in the proposals. Further, during the war Herbert Asquith was Further, during the war Herbert Asquith was replaced by David Lloyd George as Prime replaced by David Lloyd George as Prime Minister, the latter being more sympathetic to Minister, the latter being more sympathetic to votes for women. It can be argued that the war votes for women. It can be argued that the war acted as a catalyst towards democratic reform in acted as a catalyst towards democratic reform in Britain.Britain.

Essay PlanEssay Plan

Why was there a move towards a more democratic parliament in Britain after 1850?

Social and Economic Change

Political Reform no longer a threat

American Civil War

Changing ideology and attitudes

Industrial revolution

Middle classes

Education

Spread of ideas

Respect for artisans

Urbanisation

WW1

Playing for political advantage

‘Dish the Whigs..’ steal reform ideas to steal votes

Secret Ballot~ remove intimidation

Corrupt and Illegal practices~limit the amount spent on elections reduce advantage of rich conservatives

Reforms of 1880s distraction from foreign policy problems facing liberal government

Redistribution of seats ~ Liberals hoped for votes from urban voters.

Popular pressure

Impact of Reform movements

Fear of Revolution

Women campaign for the vote