Politcal reform triggers and reasons 1800s

• In what year did Earl Gray win his position?

  1831
• What is the short form of Earl Gray's achievement?

  Earl Gray wins the election
• What was the purpose of the electoral system reform mentioned in June 1831?

  To reform the electoral system
• What class supported the industrialists according to the study material?

  Middle class
• What is a "rotten borough"?

  A place with a disproportionate number of voters
• What was the fear associated with the electoral system?

  Fear of revolution
• Who were the wealthy individuals that wanted to give people the right to vote?

  Rich powerful people
• What was a significant issue with the electoral system mentioned?

  No secret voting
• What was required of voters in the electoral system?

  They had to publicly declare their vote
• What were some of the corrupt practices in voting?

  Threats and bribery
• What percentage of the population could vote?


  1. 2.7%
• What was the Corn Law enacted in 1815?

  A law that imposed tariffs on imported grain
• What was the significance of the threshing machine invented in 176?

  It revolutionized agricultural production
• What was the impact of the factory rights mentioned?

  They affected labor conditions
• What was the Birmingham Political Union established in 188?

  A political organization advocating for reform
• What was the fear of revolution linked to?

  It was linked to the French Revolution
• What were the harsh laws made in response to the fear of revolution?

  They included gagging acts six acts and the corn laws
• What decade was marked by great hardship for ordinary people in Britain?

  The 1830s
• What were some factors contributing to poverty and unemployment in rural areas during the 1830s?


  Enclosures, poor harvests, inventions like Meikle’s Threshing machine, and the Corn Laws
• How did the situation in towns during the 1830s compare to that in rural areas?

  The towns faced overcrowding, poor sanitation, and little public health consideration, similar to rural poverty
• What event took place in 1819 that highlighted social unrest in Britain?


  The Peterloo Massacre
• What was the outcome of the Peterloo Massacre in terms of casualties?

  Eleven people were killed and hundreds were injured
• What were the Swing Riots, and when did they occur?

  The Swing Riots were a series of protests in 1830 that spread from urban to rural areas
• What did working people hope to achieve through electoral reform?

  They wanted politicians who would represent their views
• What was one of the biggest reform organizations formed in 1829?

  The Birmingham Political Union
• How many people were attending meetings of the Birmingham Political Union by 1830?

  100,000 people
• Who were the Middle Class Industrialists, and what did they want?

  They were factory owners in the north who wanted reform of the political system
• Why were Middle Class Industrialists angry in the 1830s?


  Because none of them had seats in parliament despite Britain's wealth coming from industry
• What was the issue with Rotten Boroughs in the electoral system?


  They had very small populations yet sent multiple MPs to parliament
• What was the voting requirement for men in the counties during this period?


  They must own property worth £2 a year in rent
• How did local landowners influence elections in many constituencies?


  They were powerful because most voters were their tenants
• What was a common practice in constituencies where there was a contest?


  Threats and bribery were often used
• What was the voting process like before 1832?

  There was no secret ballot, and voters declared their choices by a show of hands
• What significant event occurred in April 1831 regarding the electoral system?

  The Whigs won the General Election
• What happened to the Bill to reform the electoral system after it was passed by the House of Commons?

  The House of Lords rejected the Bill
• What was the consequence of the House of Lords rejecting the reform Bill in June 1831?

  Major riots broke out in Bristol, Nottingham, and Leeds
• What was the outcome of the riots that followed the rejection of the reform Bill?

  The fear generated eventually persuaded the House of Lords to agree to the Reform Act in June 1832
• What was the significance of the Corn Laws (1815) in contributing to social unrest?

  They contributed to high bread prices, worsening poverty and unemployment
• How did inventions like Cartwright’s Power Loom (1785) affect employment?

  They increased unemployment by replacing manual labor
• What impact did high bread prices have on social stability during the 1830s?

  The corn laws led to increased poverty and social unrest