How Britain became more Democratic -Essay plan

Britain became more democratic between 1851 and 1928 due to the effects of industrialisation and urbanisation. How valid is this view?

Industrialisation and Urbanisation

• People moved from the countryside to towns and cities in search of jobs such as coalmining
• This increase in workforce caused an increase in outputs which boosted economy 
• A new middle class was created who owned factories, railways and coalmines 
• There was a new middle class who were involved in profiting the county and they felt as if they deserved the vote 
• Without them, industry and economy would collapse 
• This forced the Governement to put forms in place so they wouldn't lose support 
• More and more people were moving to industrial cities 
• They became the working class
• They began to question politcal systems and felt they deserved political power
• More people were in one area so word spread quicker 
• More people became aware of the struggles of the working class
• Information was spreading quicker therefore if people weren't happy with something the Government did, then more people would be aware of this  

Social Changes

• The spread of railways connected small, isolated parts of Britain and newspapers and polical writings from authors such as Thomas Paine, became more accessable 
• PM Gladstone used railways to travel and make speeches- in Midlothian 50'000 attended 
• Speeches by PM's ensured that everyone had the…