The Great Reform Bill

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The Great Reform Bill
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The Tory Argument

• Constitutional imbalance
• More power to towns
• No end in sight

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Whig Argument

• Dangerous times
• Fairness demands it
• Limit corruption

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Qualifications

• 10 Pound Householder
• Property implies intelligence

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(No Transcript)
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Impact

• House of Lords clearly lesser
• Lords influence decreased

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William IV

• Reigned 1830-1837

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Monarchys power decreased

• Greater role for public opinion
• Party politics

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Democracy?

• Suffrage not universal
• Local democratic traditions weakened
• Electorate increased
• Pocket boroughs eliminated
• Bribery decreased

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Political Parties

• Permanent local organizations
• National organizations begin

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• Irish Party
• Radicals

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Legislation

• Abolition of Slavery in Empire (1833)
• Factory Act (1833)
• Poor Law Act (1834)
• National education support
• Municipal Corporations Act

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Tamworth Manifesto

• Tories wont seek repeal of Reform Act

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Reform Act of 1832

• Expanded electorate
• Increased party influence
• Decreased power of monarch and House of Lords
• Increased power of House of Commons