Chapter 11 Section 1 Britain Becomes More Democratic

Lesson Objectives • Describe how reformers worked to change Parliament in the 1800 s. • Understand the values that Queen Victoria represented. • Summarize how the Liberal and Conservative parties helped bring the new ear to British politics.

Reformers sought to change Parliament in the 1800’s • 1815 Britain was constitutional monarchy – Parliament; 2 political parties, dominated by wealthy landowners – Far from democratic • House of Commons elected by less than 5% of the people • House of Lords – Could veto any bill passed by Commons – Held most of the power in Parliament

Reformers sought to change Parliament in the 1800’s • Some changes – 1820’s parliament allowed Catholics & non. Anglican (Church of England) Protestants political rights – With industrial revolution many rural towns lost so many people, had few or no voters • Land owners sent representatives to Parliament became known as rotten boroughs • Large new industrial cities had no representatives

Reformers sought to change Parliament in the 1800’s • Reform Act of 1832 – Battle between Whigs & Tories • Whigs – middle class w/ business interests • Tories – nobles, landowners w/ agricultural interests – Redistributed seats in House of Commons • Gave representatives to large towns & cities • Eliminated rotten boroughs – Suffrage to more men but kept property requirement for voting – Gave greater political voice to middle class men

Reformers sought to change Parliament in the 1800’s • 1830’s protesters known as Chartists drew up People’s Charter – Demanded: universal manhood suffrage, yearly parliamentary elections, salaries for members of Parliament – Presented petitions to Parliament twice w/ million+ signatures but Parliament ignored the petitions

The Victorian Age • From 1837 -1901 (longest reign in British history) Queen Victoria was great symbol in British life – Had little political power, but she set tone for the Victorian age with strict code of morals – Victorian values: duty, thrift, honesty, hard work, but most of all RESPECTABILITY • Britain expanded its huge empire – India – 300 million subjects around the world

Liberal & Conservative Parties helped bring a new era to British politics & extend right to vote to more people Benjamin Disraeli – Tories> Conservative Party William Gladstone – Whigs> Liberal Party

Liberal & Conservative Parties helped bring a new era to British politics & extend right to vote to more people • 1868 -1880 alternated control of Parliament – Gave vote to farmers – Pushed for reforms in Ireland – By 1900 many Chartist goals were achieved including secret ballot – Early 1900’s House of Lords had begun to be mainly ceremonial & had little power