history Britain B1

SETTING THE SCENE

Tories

political party whose principles are preserving the status quo, upholding the power of the church, monarch and aristocracy

Whigs

alternative to Tories. open to reform from above but to avoid revolution from below

status quo

keeping things the same

constituencies

area represented by one or more MP

borough

an urban constituency

franchise

the right to vote

Conservatives

tory party relaunched as the ‘conservative party of the nation’, rather than the Tory party of particular class (aristocracy)

Liberals

a reform party focused on social reform especially to avoid unrest and agitation

reform

to change a law or system

home rule

Ireland to at least have their own parliament building

Labour Party

party to represent the workers and achieve socialism through the parliamentary system

Radicals

politicians who wished to see major changes from the root of things rather than minor adjustments to existing systems

free trade

a policy followed by some international markets in which countries’ governments do not restrict imports from, or exports, to other countries

depression

a decline in production and profits from industry or trade

meritocracy

people appointed based on ability rather than social status

the house of lords

1. had considerable political power

2. had the power to veto legislate (block any newly suggested laws)

the house of commons

1. made up of members of parliament, each represented by a consituency

democracy

the rule of the people

aristocracy

1. 0.3% of the population

2. controlled 23% of the countries income

3. money came from inheritance

4. dominated political parties

5. lived in large estates

middle class

1. had the vote since 1832

2. 20% of the population

3. earned £100-£1000 a year

4. boys more than girls were placed into education

5. ‘urban phenomenon’

working class

1. 80% of the population

2. birth rate fell from the 1870s

3. poorest people were vulnerable to illness and unemployment

4. cholera killed 62,000 in 1849

5. lacked services - water, education

women

1. 2 million unmarried triggered ‘surplus’ women

2. high birth rates - 4 to 5 children per family

3. no political power - early feminist movements

4. women’s wages were much less than men’s - ½ to 2/3

pauper

someone who was physically or mentally unfit to work

laissez faire / individualism

government shouldn’t play a big part in people’s lives

protestant ascendancy

domination

protestants

20% of the population in Ireland

act of union 1800

Ireland becomes part of the UK

the great famine (hunger)

1. potatoes failed to grow

2. 1 million people died from starvation

3. 4 years of shortage in potatoes

4. 1/8th of the population died due to the famine

5. 1.5 million people emigrated to Britain and America