Past Politics Questions
• To what extent was Britain a democracy in the mid nineteenth century?
(textbook ch1)
o A- house of commons was ascending against the lords- who were
chosen through democratic elections, and the 1832 reform act had
redistributed seats, meaning growing population centres like leeds
and Sheffield were rep in parliament for the first time, by 1866 2/3 of
MPs in the commons were drawn from industry, commerce and the
professions.
o A- constitutional monarchy, bill of rights 1689 had established
supremacy of parliament over the monarchy, making and passing of
laws left to parliament entirely. Queen Victoria was politically
vociferous, but didn’t get her way. Britain was democratic in this way,
and in general structure, Britain was a democracy, 1832 parliamentary
act, strengthened concept of representative government, and
industrialisation increased wages and meant more were enfranchised
as more could meet property qualifications to vote
o D- no full enfranchisement- and women were excluded completely
with the 1832 reform act, formally disenfranchised women, and only 1
in 6 males could vote, fell short and led to rise of chartism- showing a
lack of democratic equality. Working classes excluded from franchise
as middle classes were generally prosperous and satisfied with their
democratic position- and the WC suffered as a result
o D- inequality in parliament, MPs had to have a property qualification,
and it wasn’t a paid position, and running costs were around 500
pound/year plus election expenses of 300-1000 pounds. Although
there was the abolition of qualification to stand as an MP in 1858, it
was still a ‘part-time’ activity for gentlemen.
• To what extent was political reform, in the years 1865 to 1885, driven by
liberal ideology? (2019)
o A- palmerston died in 1865- removed a major obstacle to reform
within the liberal party, enabled a new generation of liberals headed by
gladstone to take control, idealogy showing commitment to reform as
evidenced by 1866 reform bill. Gladstone was supported by radicals
like joseph chamberlain during his ministry, 1880-85 ministry,
resulting in further extension of franchise and redistribution of seats
o A- other liberals in party pushed for reform- john bright toured Britain,
encouraging working men to campaign for their democratic rights,
influenced the reform union and the reform league. Political
, philosophers like JS Mill, contributed to raising awareness of the issue
of political reform inside and outside of parliament.
o D- working classes drove political reform- the reform league’s set up
was founded on the conclusion of the USA civil war and the unification
of Italy. This was a WC organisation and had strong links to trade
unionism- as the 1867 reform bill followed extreme violence and
protest from the RL.
o D- need for WC representation was recognised, population growth
and industrialisation meant expanding industrial towns/cities were
seriously under-represented. Need for a redistribution of seats
obvious to politicans from all parties. Also the rise in education for the
working classes made enfranchisement more palatable for MPs in
parliament, growth of friendly societies and self-help organisations
created impression of a responsible section of the Working classes
who could be trusted with the vote.
• ‘Changing attitudes within political parties were the main cause of
parliamentary reform by 1867’ assess this view (ch2 knowledge question)
o A- Conservatives accepted reform under Disraeli, who believed
reform could strengthen the CNS by appealing to the working class
(skilled), accepted amendments expanding electorate further than
initially thought (Hodgkinson’s), suggests party leaders changed
strategy which led to reform. Though there was a degree of
opportunism guiding the conservative switch to wanting
reform.
o A-Divisions within liberals under gladstone- 1866 introduced reform
bills, acceptance of enfranchisement, bill failed due to anti-reform
liberals, debate showed large sections supported reform ‘peace,
retrenchment and reform. Ideaological shift meant reform was
mainstream in parliamentary politics. Additionally, Gladstone had an
alliance with John Bright- a parliamentary radical liberal. Liberal party
was made up of commercial and industrial members who had
increasing influence, and Gladstone began to lead liberal party in
direction of reform.
o D- groups like the reform league, formed in 1846 and headed by John
Bright exerted pressure on govs, and demanded universal male
suffrage and secret ballots, also the chartists movement wanted
secret ballot, annual elections and redist of seats as well as universal
suffrage. Hyde-park protests in 1867 as a result of RL. Scale of
mobilisation created fear of unrest and forced politicians to act. John
Bright had toured the country and encouraged the working class men
to demand enfranchisement. Additionally, political philosophers like
• To what extent was Britain a democracy in the mid nineteenth century?
(textbook ch1)
o A- house of commons was ascending against the lords- who were
chosen through democratic elections, and the 1832 reform act had
redistributed seats, meaning growing population centres like leeds
and Sheffield were rep in parliament for the first time, by 1866 2/3 of
MPs in the commons were drawn from industry, commerce and the
professions.
o A- constitutional monarchy, bill of rights 1689 had established
supremacy of parliament over the monarchy, making and passing of
laws left to parliament entirely. Queen Victoria was politically
vociferous, but didn’t get her way. Britain was democratic in this way,
and in general structure, Britain was a democracy, 1832 parliamentary
act, strengthened concept of representative government, and
industrialisation increased wages and meant more were enfranchised
as more could meet property qualifications to vote
o D- no full enfranchisement- and women were excluded completely
with the 1832 reform act, formally disenfranchised women, and only 1
in 6 males could vote, fell short and led to rise of chartism- showing a
lack of democratic equality. Working classes excluded from franchise
as middle classes were generally prosperous and satisfied with their
democratic position- and the WC suffered as a result
o D- inequality in parliament, MPs had to have a property qualification,
and it wasn’t a paid position, and running costs were around 500
pound/year plus election expenses of 300-1000 pounds. Although
there was the abolition of qualification to stand as an MP in 1858, it
was still a ‘part-time’ activity for gentlemen.
• To what extent was political reform, in the years 1865 to 1885, driven by
liberal ideology? (2019)
o A- palmerston died in 1865- removed a major obstacle to reform
within the liberal party, enabled a new generation of liberals headed by
gladstone to take control, idealogy showing commitment to reform as
evidenced by 1866 reform bill. Gladstone was supported by radicals
like joseph chamberlain during his ministry, 1880-85 ministry,
resulting in further extension of franchise and redistribution of seats
o A- other liberals in party pushed for reform- john bright toured Britain,
encouraging working men to campaign for their democratic rights,
influenced the reform union and the reform league. Political
, philosophers like JS Mill, contributed to raising awareness of the issue
of political reform inside and outside of parliament.
o D- working classes drove political reform- the reform league’s set up
was founded on the conclusion of the USA civil war and the unification
of Italy. This was a WC organisation and had strong links to trade
unionism- as the 1867 reform bill followed extreme violence and
protest from the RL.
o D- need for WC representation was recognised, population growth
and industrialisation meant expanding industrial towns/cities were
seriously under-represented. Need for a redistribution of seats
obvious to politicans from all parties. Also the rise in education for the
working classes made enfranchisement more palatable for MPs in
parliament, growth of friendly societies and self-help organisations
created impression of a responsible section of the Working classes
who could be trusted with the vote.
• ‘Changing attitudes within political parties were the main cause of
parliamentary reform by 1867’ assess this view (ch2 knowledge question)
o A- Conservatives accepted reform under Disraeli, who believed
reform could strengthen the CNS by appealing to the working class
(skilled), accepted amendments expanding electorate further than
initially thought (Hodgkinson’s), suggests party leaders changed
strategy which led to reform. Though there was a degree of
opportunism guiding the conservative switch to wanting
reform.
o A-Divisions within liberals under gladstone- 1866 introduced reform
bills, acceptance of enfranchisement, bill failed due to anti-reform
liberals, debate showed large sections supported reform ‘peace,
retrenchment and reform. Ideaological shift meant reform was
mainstream in parliamentary politics. Additionally, Gladstone had an
alliance with John Bright- a parliamentary radical liberal. Liberal party
was made up of commercial and industrial members who had
increasing influence, and Gladstone began to lead liberal party in
direction of reform.
o D- groups like the reform league, formed in 1846 and headed by John
Bright exerted pressure on govs, and demanded universal male
suffrage and secret ballots, also the chartists movement wanted
secret ballot, annual elections and redist of seats as well as universal
suffrage. Hyde-park protests in 1867 as a result of RL. Scale of
mobilisation created fear of unrest and forced politicians to act. John
Bright had toured the country and encouraged the working class men
to demand enfranchisement. Additionally, political philosophers like
