Democratic Reform Activism What is a democracy Citizens

Democratic Reform & Activism

What is a democracy? Citizens hold political power. Two types: Representative democracy Citizens elect leaders to represent their rights and interests in government. (U. S. A. ) Direct democracy No representatives, citizens involved directly in government Most modern countries are too large for this type of democracy (Athens)

A Severely Limited Democracy In the early 1800 s, vote limited to men with substantial property Women could not vote at all; upper classes (5%) run the government

Reform Bill of 1832 A reaction to the Revolution of 1830 in France 1832 bill gave wealthy middle class suffrage New industrial cities more representation

Chartist Movement Expands suffrage and reform politics Demands suffrage for all men, secret vote, Parliamentary reforms (pay) Parliament at first rejects, but eventually adopts, Chartist goals.

Victorian Age Queen Victoria—rules for 64 years at height of British power Loses power to Parliament, especially House of Commons Government run almost completely by prime minister, cabinet

Organization and Resistance Many women organize to win the right to vote Some argue against it as too radical a break from tradition Others say women did not have ability to engage in politics

Militant Protests Emmeline Pankhurst forms Women’s Social and Political Union 1903 WSPU members protest-arrested many timesforce fed Women did not win suffrage in Britain and U. S. until after World War I

Third Republic France changes governments repeatedly after Franco-Prussian War 3 rd Republic—French gov’t formed in 1875 lasts 60 years.

The Dreyfus Affair Spy controversy over Jewish officer in French army Anti-Semitism—prejudice against Jews, strong in much of Europe Government declares Captain Alfred Dreyfus innocent.

Rise of Zionism Movement for Jewish homeland—grows after Dreyfus affair Russian officials allow pogroms against Jews History of persecution and exile convinces Jews to work for a homeland in Palestine