Great Britain- Chartists and Reform Bill of 1832
The Peterloo Massacre
11 people killed by British troops at a gathering to hear speeches regarding parliamentary reforms. August 1819 Peterloo meant as a reference to Waterloo
Whig support of reform
1828-1830, Duke of Wellington was PM and a Tory, did not allow for reform 2 bills for parliamentary reformation bills passed in HoC but shut down in HoC PM Earl Grey goes to King William IV in 1832 to pass these bills
Other reforms
1833- slavery in British Empire abolished Factory Act of 1833 put limitations of work by children and women- must be 9 to work, only 9 hour work days for 9-13 year olds, only 12 hour work days for 13-18 year olds, inspectors put in place to enforce these changes Municipal Council Act of 1835 created a system of elected councils to govern cities
The Chartist Movement
1838- working classers wrote the People's Charter which had 6 demands. These were supported by intellectual reformers Suffrage for all men A secret ballot for voting Annual HoC elections No property requirements for voting salaries for HoC members Equal electoral district representation 1839- presented to parliament, but middle class not ready to share power with masses. All demands were eventually enacted except for the annual elections
The Cato Street Conspiracy
After George IV's succession, the government discovered an assassination plot on the cabinet. Leaders of the conspiracy were arrested; 4 executed
The repeal of the Corn Laws
Anti Corn Law League were industrialists wanted the Laws repealed and free trade; lower food prices, higher standard of living Irish famine showed lower food prices were needed- caused massive starvation and disease Free trade established- victory for urban dwellers
Background/ Overview
Conservative rule and repression of civil unrest Economic depression and unemployment up led to a fear of revolution for British powers Lord Liverpool (PM) silenced demands for reform
The Six Acts 1819
New legislation was adopted by parliament which took away individual freedoms of speech and assembly, raised newspaper taxes, made it easier for police to search private land, and allowed for rushed trials resulting in harsher punishments
Background to Reform Bill of 1832
Parliament was not representative. HoL was self-replenishing with children of current nobleman HoC consisted of rich businessmen Voting rights usually required property; voters easily bribed Industrial towns hardly represented
Provisions of the Reform Bill of 1832
Redistribution of HoC seats for underrepresented boroughs Voting for middle class men but not workers (property still important) Started a power shift from aristocracy to middle class
Tory Reform in the 1820s
Younger Tory leaders advocated for moderate reforms. -Criminal codes reformed; capital crimes down. London police reorganized also -Free trade was put over mercantilism; import tariffs down -Religious restrictions were lowered (excepts for Jews), the Test Act was repealed, allowing nonconformists to hold office. Catholic Emancipation granted suffrage and public office to catholics
