Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
WHY BRITAIN BECAME A DEMOCRACY (CHANGING POLITICAL ATTITUDES (1848…
WHY BRITAIN BECAME A DEMOCRACY
CHANGING POLITICAL ATTITUDES
Death of Palmerston
He was a very classic Whig afraid of change, so his death signified a changing tune in politics which allowed for more change.
1848 revolutions in France, Austria and Germany
Workers challenging existing rights and constitution, demanded change, held politicians accountable.
This would not have gone unnoticed in Britain.
Likely this led to change as politicians did not want to lose their jobs, wanted to avoid revolution in Britain.
HOWEVER, the first reforms did not occur until 20 years after these revolutions, so it did cause instant change so it could not have been the only factor.
POLITICAL ADVANTAGE
Deal between Gladstone and Salisbury
Gladstone wanted to give voters in the countryside the same rights as voters in the cities
This was because he believed the newly enfranchised voters would vote for him.
In turn, Salisbury (Conservative leader) wanted to redraw constituency borders because he believed through this he would gain more votes.
Conservatives extended the franchise
From 8% of men to 28% of men. More democratic.
Historians call this 'dishing the Whigs' or 'stealing the Liberals' clothes' as the Conservatives took their policy and benefited from it.
They had tolerated many years out of office and were willing to take a 'leap in the dark' to get back in
HOWEVER, the Conservatives lost the election the following year, so it could not have been the only factor
INDUSTRIALISATION
Newspapers and railways
Newspapers meant that the general populous became better informed politically.
Railways meant that more people could vote. Also political parties could organise themselves into local associations.
Voters also became better informed due to railways. For example, Gladstone's Midlothian Campaign in 1880 by rail.
Urbanisation
THE GREAT WAR
Women's war work
1918 Representation of the People Act