Extension of the Franchise
Key Terms
- Franchise: The right to vote in public elections.
- Reform Acts: A series of laws passed in the 19th and early 20th centuries to expand the electorate and reform the British parliamentary system.
Background
In the early 19th century, the British electoral system was highly restrictive . Voting rights were limited to a small percentage of the population, primarily wealthy landowners. The system was characterized by rotten boroughs (constituencies with very few voters controlled by a single patron) and underrepresentation of rapidly growing industrial cities.
The 1832 Reform Act (The Great Reform Act)
Causes
- Industrialization: Rapid urban growth led to demands for representation in Parliament.
- Political Pressure: The Whigs, led by Earl Grey, sought to address public discontent and prevent revolution.
- Social Unrest: Events like the Peterloo Massacre (1819) highlighted the need for reform.
Provisions
- Redistribution of Seats: Abolished 56 rotten boroughs and reduced representation in 30 others.
- Extension of the Franchise: Granted voting rights to men owning property worth £10 or more annually, increasing the electorate by about 50%.
- Representation for Industrial Cities: Cities like Manchester and Birmingham gained representation.
Impact
- Increased Electorate: The number of voters rose from 435,000 to 652,000.
- Middle-Class Influence: The reform favored the middle class, leaving the working class largely disenfranchised.
- Foundation for Future Reforms: Set a precedent for gradual, peaceful reform.
The 1867 Reform Act (Second Reform Act)
Causes
- Public Pressure: The Reform League and Reform Union campaigned for broader suffrage.
- Political Strategy: The Conservative Party, led by Benjamin Disraeli, aimed to gain political advantage by supporting reform.
Provisions
- Urban Working-Class Vote: Extended the franchise to male householders in towns, doubling the electorate to 2 million.
- Redistribution: Seats were reallocated to better represent urban areas.
Impact
- Working-Class Participation: Significant inclusion of urban workers in the electorate.
- Political Realignment: Parties began to appeal to a broader base, leading to more organized political campaigning.
The 1884 Reform Act (Third Reform Act)
Causes
- Demand for Rural Reform: The 1867 Act had primarily benefited urban areas, leaving rural workers disenfranchised.
