Great Britain Toward Democracy study guide summary chapter

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Great Britain Toward Democracy study guide summary chapter

Great Britain: Toward Democracy
Section Overview

Britain symbolized the confident liberal state in the late nineteenth-century.
The British did not have to create new liberal institutions—as they already had them—and then learn how to live within them.

The Second Reform Act (1867)

Due to the rise in social respectability of the working classes in England, many in England agitated for the expansion of the franchise.

Reform League

Organization led by John Bright (1811-1889) brought this issue to Parliament and in 1866, Lord Russell’s Liberal ministry introduced a reform bill that a coalition of traditional conservatives and antidemocratic liberals defeated- , a manufacturer, anti-corn law, contributed significantly to the development of the Liberal Party
After 1865 Britain saw expanded democracy under Disraeli and Gladstone (who were political opponents)

Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) and the expansion of suffrage
Conservative leader in the House of Commons who proposed a Reform Bill in 1867 that was amended by Liberals so much that increased the number of voters from approximately 1,430,000 to 2,470,00

Almost all men over 21 who resided in urban centers were granted the right to vote

Essentially doubled the number of men who could vote but still fell short of universal suffrage.

Disraeli, knowing reform was inevitable, decided that the Conservatives should take credit for it and believed it would help solidify Conservative control in British government.

Gladstone’s Great Ministry (1868-1874)
The Most important liberal figure in 19th century England

Supported Irish Home Rule, fiscal policy, free trade, and extension of democratic principles while opposing imperialism

This era witnessed the culmination of classical British liberalism and saw the following reforms:

institutions that remained the preserve of the aristocracy and the Anglican church were open to people from other classes and religious denominations.
competitive examinations for the civil service replaced patronage.
purchase of officers’ positions in the army was abolished.
voting by secret ballot was introduced

Education Act of 1870

government assumed the responsibility for establishing and running elementary schools

Reform Act of 1884 (Representation of the People Act of 1884)

Granted suffrage to adult males in the counties on the same basis as in the boroughs

Two million agricultural voters were added to the franchise
Brought Britain close to universal male suffrage

During the 1880s and 1890s, new groups emerged seeking to further extend democracy

Included women’s suffrage advocates, anti-imperialists, socialists, and anti-nationalists

Fabian Society (1883) among the most significant: advanced a form of revisionist Marxism

Sought political democracy and economic socialism

Disraeli in Office (1874-1880)

Disraeli succeeded Gladstone as prime minister in 1874

Both men believed social reform was necessary but disagreed on the means.
Whereas Gladstone looked to individualism, free trade, and competition to solve social problems, Disraeli believed in paternalistic legislation to protect the weak and ease class antagonisms.

Public Health Act of 1875

Biggest legislation of Disraeli’s term but it was primarily the work of his home secretary, Richard Cross (1823-1914)
This act reaffirmed the duty of the state to interfere with private property to protect health and physical well-being.

Artisan Dwelling Act of 1875

Government became involved in providing housing for the working class

The Irish Question

In 1880, Gladstone became prime minister again after an agricultural depression and an unpopular policy undermined the conservative government of Disraeli.

Major issue of Gladstone’s second term: The Irish Question

Irish nationalists promoted the idea of “home rule” for Ireland.

Irish Land League
led by Charles Stewart Parnell (1846-1891)

they wanted a land settlement since much of the land in Ireland was owned by Protestants of English descent
Irish land act of 1881 strengthened tenants’ rights
Parnell organized Irish members of Parliament to agitate for home rule in Parliament; an opportunity arose in the election of 1885 when the Irish votes were needed by Gladstone to win the election.

Gladstone announced his support for Irish home rule

Then, a group known as Liberal Unionists joined the Conservatives and defeated home rule for the Irish.

Ireland remained firmly under British control.

In 1903, the Conservatives sponsored a bill that carried out the final transfer of land to tenant ownership.
Home Rule Bill of 1912 granted this right to Irish but it was not to be implemented until after World War I.

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