Between the late 19th century and early 18th century, the British parliament enacted a number of reforms which allowed Britain to
become a more democratic society.
Social and Economic change were two of the reasons as to why these changes came about however there were also other factors which
played substantial roles in leading Britain towards becoming more democratic such as: changing political attitudes, the role of pressure
groups, political reform in other countries and the political advantage that parties could gain from championing reform.
Social and Economic Change / Changing Political Attitudes
As masses of people began to flood into cities after the industrial revolution Britain began to see a great influx in population. For …show more content…
Despite their dubious motives the Conservative party , in passing
the Second Reform Act , effectively doubled the electorate and thus made an important step towards the democratic process in Britain.
The Role of Pressure Groups.
Pressure groups additionally played a substantial role in assisting Britain towards democracy. Groups such as the National Reform Union,
founded in 1864, were created to allow the middle and working classes to understand that many of their political aims were similar and
that their unity was essential in promoting a more democratic Britain. The National Reform Union campaigned for the secret ballot, equal
seat distribution and votes for all ratepayers whilst the more radical Reform League , another pressure group established in 1864 ,
campaigned for manhood suffrage and a secret ballot. This latter group attained many supporters including a significant number of
former Chartist supporters. Historian Royden Harrison believes it was a combination of pressure groups, and the fear of disturbances
or revolution which prompted reform in the 1860s. He wrote that the working classes had reached a point where ‘it was safe to …show more content…
However other factors also contributed to
the rise in democracy such as the aforementioned influence from the popular revolutions taking place throughout America and Europe ,
the political advantage to be gained from parties espousing the cause for greater democratic rights and the rise in pressure groups such
as the National Reform Union, the Suffragists and the Suffragettes. It is this latter factor which I believe was the most instrumental to
the cause of democracy in Britain as such groups were the most effective in influencing and mobilizing ordinary citizens to action via
strikes , public demonstrations and even notable riots. In particular, the National Reform Union helped to give a unified voice to the
overtly discontented working and middle classes by promoting and underlining the common ground in their aims and arguing that
become a more democratic society.
Social and Economic change were two of the reasons as to why these changes came about however there were also other factors which
played substantial roles in leading Britain towards becoming more democratic such as: changing political attitudes, the role of pressure
groups, political reform in other countries and the political advantage that parties could gain from championing reform.
Social and Economic Change / Changing Political Attitudes
As masses of people began to flood into cities after the industrial revolution Britain began to see a great influx in population. For …show more content…
Despite their dubious motives the Conservative party , in passing
the Second Reform Act , effectively doubled the electorate and thus made an important step towards the democratic process in Britain.
The Role of Pressure Groups.
Pressure groups additionally played a substantial role in assisting Britain towards democracy. Groups such as the National Reform Union,
founded in 1864, were created to allow the middle and working classes to understand that many of their political aims were similar and
that their unity was essential in promoting a more democratic Britain. The National Reform Union campaigned for the secret ballot, equal
seat distribution and votes for all ratepayers whilst the more radical Reform League , another pressure group established in 1864 ,
campaigned for manhood suffrage and a secret ballot. This latter group attained many supporters including a significant number of
former Chartist supporters. Historian Royden Harrison believes it was a combination of pressure groups, and the fear of disturbances
or revolution which prompted reform in the 1860s. He wrote that the working classes had reached a point where ‘it was safe to …show more content…
However other factors also contributed to
the rise in democracy such as the aforementioned influence from the popular revolutions taking place throughout America and Europe ,
the political advantage to be gained from parties espousing the cause for greater democratic rights and the rise in pressure groups such
as the National Reform Union, the Suffragists and the Suffragettes. It is this latter factor which I believe was the most instrumental to
the cause of democracy in Britain as such groups were the most effective in influencing and mobilizing ordinary citizens to action via
strikes , public demonstrations and even notable riots. In particular, the National Reform Union helped to give a unified voice to the
overtly discontented working and middle classes by promoting and underlining the common ground in their aims and arguing that