Pressure for the Second Reform Act
- Created by: becky.65
- Created on: 15-05-17 19:28
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First Reform Act did not represent the general population:
- favoured middle class
- only 18% could vote
- favoured rural counties
- power still remained with aristocracy
- still corrupt without secret ballot
- working classes and radicals felt it should have been extended further
1835 - Municipal Corporations Act - all male ratepayers elected councils
Chartism 1836 - 1848:
- demanded further reform
- attracted a large range of individuals
- May 1839 - presented a petition signed by 1,280,958 to parliament
- November 1839 - 'sacred month'; Newport miners uprising outside Westgate hotel, 20 died
- 1842 - second petition with 3 million signatures
- 10 April 1848 - Kennington Common rally; third petition with 5 million signatures
- Failed but forced the government to make reforms through the repeal of the Corn Laws (1846) and the Ten Hour Act (1847)
Old Whigs saw reform as a way to increase chance of getting elected
Somes Tories also saw reform as a way to increase popularity…
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