The Reform bill 1831-32

• What was the economic situation in the 1830s that led to social distress?


  Several bad harvests resulted in high prices and a rise in unemployment
• How did the economic distress in the 1830s affect the agricultural sector?


  It fell most heavily on the agricultural sector in the south and influenced the swing riots
• What was the significance of the swing riots in 1830?


  They were a response to rural unrest and highlighted the need for reform
• What actions were taken during the swing riots?


  Destruction of machinery and burning of corn occurred
• What did some people begin to realize about the nation's distress?


  It demanded some form of reform to calm the people
• What motivated people to protest during this period?

  Political slant to the largest economic complaints
• What specific grievances did people express during the protests?

  Hatred of tithes and the administration of the poor law
• Why were the swing riots particularly alarming to landowners?


  They were concentrated in the south east
• How long did the swing riots last?


  Over a year
• What potential threat did the alliance between the working and middle classes pose?


  It posed a further potential threat to the government
• What was the main outcome of the pressure exerted by the people regarding the Great Reform Act of 1832?


  Parliament realized that delaying reform was not an option
• What were the two important factors that helped the reform bill gain support?

  A split in the Tory party and the revival of the Whigs
• How did the situation in France influence the reform movement in Britain?


  There was a fear that refusing popular demands could lead to revolution similar to that in France
• What happened to the first reform bill proposed in 1832?


  It was defeated
• What occurred with the second and third reform bills?


  Both were defeated in the lords and commons respectively
• What was the consequence of Grey's resignation?


  It led to the reappointment of the Tory Wellington
• What was the level of protest during this period?

  Protest reached almost revolutionary levels
• What strategy did Grey use to ensure the reform bill was passed?


  He threatened the prospect of new peers
• What did the Great Reform Act of 1832 achieve regarding rotten boroughs?


  It removed many of the rotten boroughs
• How did the reform act change political representation for the middle classes?


  Wealthier middle classes were now included in the political process
• What was the total number of seats in parliament after the reform act?


  658
• How many boroughs with fewer than 2,000 voters were disenfranchised?


  56 boroughs
• How many new constituencies were created by the reform act?

  22 new two-member constituencies and 20 new one-member constituencies
• What was the increase in the number of representatives for counties after the reform act?

  Increased by 61 to 253
• What property qualification was introduced for boroughs?

  Uniform property qualifications of £10
• What was the total number of the new electorate after the reform act?

  813,000 of a total of 24 million
• What does the reform act of 1832 signify in terms of political evolution?


  It showed what popular pressure could do and was the first assault on the status quo