The Development of British Democracy

Cards (2)

  • At the turn of the 19th century, Britain was not a democracy as we know it today. Although there were elections to select members of Parliament (MPs), only a small group of people could vote. They were men who were over 21 years of age and who owned a certain amount of property.
  • In the 1830s and 1840s, a group called the Chartists campaigned for reform. They wanted six changes:
    • for every man to have the vote
    • elections every year
    • for all regions to be equal in the electoral system
    • secret ballots
    • for any man to be able to stand as an MP
    • for MPs to be paid.