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BREAKING NEWS: Tories have to give people civil rights and throw a hissy fit. Fork found in kitchen, more news at 10
Why were there calls for electoral reform? (i.e. what was wrong with the current system)? (6)
Voting qualification between boroughs was wildly inconsistent (e.g. potwalloper)
No secret ballot resulted in widespread bribery and corruption
Rotten boroughs and unfair seat distribution (e.g. old Sarum had no voters but still returned 2 MPs)
No working class representation in parliament (no salary for MPs) or voting
In 1783 only 250,000 men could vote (little representation)
Seats would often go unchallenged as it was risky and expensive (e.g. in 1784 only 72 out of 550 seats were challenged)
What event in parliament allowed the GRA to begin forming? (MONTH AND YEAR)
In November 1830, Wellington’s Tory administration collapsed and was replaced by Earl Grey who was a Whig.
What sources of pressure were demanding for change? (4)
The emerging middle classes wanted a say
Whig revival and the death of George IV removed the two biggest oppositions to reform from parliament
w/c and m/c political solidarity via the BPU
The execution of Charles X in France in 1830 (same year George IV died) showed the dangers of resisting reform
What were and what happened to the first 2 reform bills under Grey?
ALL OF THIS WAS IN 1831:
The first bill proposed to redistribute 100+ seats and provide a £10 qualification. It was shut down by the lords who considered it too radical.
A similar fate met the second bill, causing Grey to resign.
What was the 1832 Days of May crisis (date’s in the name)?
After Grey’s resignation, the king approached Wellington to form an administration. People were outraged as they knew that Wellington, as an ultra tory, would heavily dilute the bill and so riots broke out resulting in some lords being physically harmed- sparking real fears of revolution hence the Great Reform act passed in June 1832.
Note 
Flashcard (71)