Key terms and dates of key events

When was the great reform act? (YEAR)

1832

What was Chartism?

A movement that fought for the suffrage of the working classes (not women though)

What was the agricultural revolution?

A huge increase in agricultural output between the 17th and 19th century due to new technology.

When was the regency crisis? (MONTHS AND YEARS)

October 1788-February 1789

What was Luddism?

A group of 19th century handloom weavers who destroyed machines and attacked factory owners to protest the threat that the new machines posed to their jobs.

What was a rotten borough?

Districts that were infamous for unfairly electing MPs, usually due to a very small or non-existent electorate in that area.

what does it mean when a government is “Laissez-faire”?

When a government meddles very little with businesses or the people (usually just means a lack of social security)

What is the exchequer?

The bank of England’s account that taxes and other public monies are paid into.

What is a sinecure?

A job that pays a lot for very little work

What is protectionism?

When imports are heavily taxed with the idea that it will protect domestic industry.

When were the corn laws passed? (YEAR)

1815

What were enclosures?

When public farmland was cut into big chunks and given to private owners.

Summarise how the House of Commons works

There are 650 MPs, all of whom are voted in

326 MPs are needed to secure a majority

Meetings are weekly with the PM to discuss and make decisions

Who were the two main parties in the British government at this time?

Tories (right wing)

Whigs (left wing)

What is a yeoman?

A (usually) free person who cultivates their own land or works as a royal servant.

What was the triangle trade?

The main route of the slave trade between Britain, Africa and the Americas.

Summarise how the house of lords works

779 Lords, none are voted in (hereditary OR nominated)

Debate the decisions made by the commons and can sometimes reject them

How did the monarchy function at this time?

Strictly hereditary

Could veto legislation but was mostly just a figurehead.

What was the mince pie administration and what year did it begin?

It was Pitt’s first cabinet set up in 1783

When and what was the consolidation act?

1787

Reduced/removed import taxes (aka duties) for a variety of goods

When and what was the eden treaty?

1786

An agreement between Britain and France that secured free trade between the two nations

When did Henry Addington take office? (YEAR)

1801

When was Spencer Perceval assassinated? (YEAR)

1812

When was Cartwright’s power loom invented? (YEAR)

1789

When and what was the combinations act? (YEARS)

1799-1800

In short, it banned trade unions and striking

When was income tax introduced? (YEAR)

1798

When was the French revolution? (YEAR)

1789

When was the FIRST TIME Habeas Corpus was suspended? (YEAR)

1794

When and what was the Treasonable practises act? (YEAR)

1795

It made it high treason to commit or conspire violence against the king (put in after the stoning of George III’s carriage)

When and what was the seditious meetings act? (YEAR)

1795

Restricted public meetings to 50 people maximum (put in after the stoning of George III’s carriage)

When was the spit head naval mutiny? (YEAR)

1797

When and what was the Wolfe Tone rebellion? (YEAR)

1798

When Wolfe Tone lead his organisation- the United Irishmen- in an uprising to spark a republican revolution with the aid of French troops.

When and what was the catholic relief act? (YEAR)

1793

Allowed Catholics to hold SOME positions in office

When was the act of union? (YEARS)

1800-1801

When and what was the frame breaking act? (YEAR)

1812

Made Luddism punishable by transportation

When and what were the Berlin and Milan decrees? (YEAR)

1806

Proclaimed that neutrals and French allies could not trade with Britain

When and what were the orders in council? (YEAR)

1807

The British government’s response to the Berlin and Milan decrees (basically a trade embargo against France)

When and what were the corn laws? (YEAR)

1815

Forbade foreign grain being sold in Britain until the price of British grain exceeded 80 shillings per quart.

When was income tax repealed? (YEAR)

1816

When and what was the truck act? (YEAR)

1819

Banned employers paying people “in kind” (i.e. not in money)

When and what was the first factory act? (YEAR)

1819

Forbade the employment of anyone under 9 y/o and any employee under 16 years of age could only work 12 hours max and not during the night.

When and what were the six/gagging acts? (YEAR)

1819

Following Peterloo, these were passed to curb any radical threats. They included a renewal the seditious meetings act and the stamp duties act.

When was the combinations act repealed and then what followed it which undid the work of said repeal? (YEAR)

1824

1825: Amending act

When and what was the Catholic emancipation act? (YEAR)

1829

Allowed Catholics to hold office (response to O’Connell’s victory in the 1828 county Clare election)

When was the met police act? (YEAR)

1829

When and what was the reciprocity of duties act? (YEAR)

1823

Allowed Britain to form free trade agreements with little restriction