British History: 19th Century

Who was John Wilkes?

A radical politician known for challenging the authority of King George III, advocating for greater representation and liberty. His actions and the public's response highlighted the growing importance of public opinion and political activism.

Why was this period called “The Age of Public Opinion”?

Because it was characterised by increased political awareness and participation among ordinary people. Factors such as the rise of newspapers, public debates, and political activism contributed to this era.

What happened to John Wilkes after attacking the king's rule?

Wilkes faced trial and imprisonment after criticising the king, but was freed on the basis that the arrest warrants were illegal, becoming a symbol of resistance against government overreach and a champion of individual liberties.

What was the Stamp Act?

It was a tax imposed on the American colonists by the British government to cover the costs of previous wars.

Who was in the first coalition against France?

Britain, Spain, Holland, Austria, Prussia, Portugal, and Sardinia.

Who were Napoleon's main opponents?

Arthur Wellesley, Nelson and Wellington

What happened in the battle of Trafalgar?

Nelson secured a decisive victory establishing British Naval Supremacy. Though, it costed him his life.

What was the Continental System?

A strategy employed by Napoleon to cripple Britain's economy by preventing European countries from trading with it, aiming to undermine its commercial power. It proved ineffective and even detrimental to Napoleon's own empire.

Who did Britain send to the Iberian Peninsula to support the resistance against Napoleon?

The British government dispatched Wellesley to support Spanish and Portuguese resistance fighters against Napoleon's forces during the Peninsular War, aiming to weaken French control over the Iberian Peninsula.

Where and when was Napoleon finally defeated?

Napoleon’s final defeat occurred at the Battle of Waterloo, leading to his abdication and the end of the Napoleonic Wars.

What was the purpose of the Congress of Vienna?

A conference held after Napoleon's defeat with the goal of establishing lasting peace in Europe by redrawing political boundaries. It aimed to prevent future conflicts and maintain a balance of power among the major European nations.

What kind of supremacy did Britain have after Trafalgar?

Following the Battle of Trafalgar, Britain established a dominant position in both naval power and international commerce, allowing it to control trade routes.

Why did the Radical movement grow during the wars?

The Radical movement grew due to unemployment caused by increased mechanisation and the social and economic turmoil resulting from the Napoleonic Wars, which fueled calls for political reform and greater rights for the working class.

What was the Corn Law?

It was a law that placed high tariffs on imported grain in order to protect domestic producers. This increased the price of food and angered the poor and working classes.

What happened during the Peterloo Massacre?

A peaceful protest in Manchester turned violent when government forces attacked the demonstrators, killing several people, including children.

How did the Tory government suppress the Radical movement?

The Tory government restricted freedom of speech, imposed taxes on newspapers, and authorised magistrates to conduct searches of private property, all in an effort to suppress the Radical movement and maintain control.

What were some of the social reforms that took place during George IV's reign?

1. Reduced working hours for children.

2. Improved prison conditions.

3. Repeal of the Combination Acts.

4. Establishment of the First Metropolitan Police Force.

What did the great Reform Bill do?

Seats were given to neighbourhoods which did not have representation in Parliament. As a consequence, more people were able to vote, expanding the electorate significantly.

What other reforms took place in the 1830’s?

Significant reforms were enacted, including:

1. the abolition of slavery;

2. the New Poor Law (creation of workhouses);

3. the first compulsory civil registration of births, deaths and marriages.

What replaced the Old Poor Law?

The New Poor Law replaced the old one, it aimed to reduce poverty by creating workhouses where the poor could live and work in exchange for basic necessities.

What were the demands of the People’s Charter?

People demanded six reforms:

1. Annual Parliament meetings

2. Universal male suffrage

3. The removal of property qualifications for voting

4. Secret ballots

5. Payment for Members of Parliament

6. Equal Constituencies (electoral districts should be roughly equal in population to ensure fair representation).

What was the outcome of the First Opium War?

China was defeated and forced to pay reparations to Britain and allow Opium trade.

What was the outcome of the Second Opium War?

China was defeated yet again and this time they had to grant Britain:

• low tariffs for trade

• trade concessions (trade barriers reduced/eliminated)

• the opening of five ports

• exemption of British merchants from Chinese law

• cede territory: Hong Kong.

Why was 19th century for China called the “Century of Humiliation”?

Because China experienced foreign intrusion, internal instability, and loss of sovereignty due to the Opium Wars.

What constitutional crisis did Queen Victoria cause?

Queen Victoria's refusal to dismiss her Whig ladies-in-waiting led to a political impasse and raised questions about the monarch's role in government.

How were the poors during the lat 1830’s?

The poor suffered a lot. Unemployment enabled employers to keep wages low, and the power of the landed interest kept the price of bread out of the reach of the impoverished

What caused the Irish Famine?

A disease, the potato blight, affected the potato crop, destroying the Irish’s peasantry only food.

How were people affected because of the potato blight?

Half the population of Ireland faced complete starvation.

Who thought it was necessary to open the ports to cheap grain from abroad during the Irish Famine?

Prime minister Robert Peel advocated for opening ports to cheap grain from abroad to provide relief during the Irish Famine. This decision faced opposition but was seen as necessary to alleviate the suffering.

What was the Soup Kitchen Act?

The Soup Kitchen Act was legislation enacted during the Irish Famine that established the English would help Ireland by giving them food, aiming to alleviate hunger and suffering. Though, later on the British decided that the Irish should be supported by their local parish unions. This was because the British believed the Irish would become too dependent on their help.

What was a consequence of the Irish Famine?

A million Irish people moved to the USA. The dislike of Americans and Irish towards England solidified their relationship.

Great Exhbition was..

an exhibition where all the best goods and latest inventions created in the world’s workshop were presented. It was a visual proof that the British led the world in superiority, the variety and the cheapness of their manufactures.

What were the reasons for the Crimean War?

The Crimean War was caused by Russia's expansionist ambitions, the decline of the Ottoman Empire, and Britain's desire to maintain a balance of power in Europe and stop Russia aiming to balance the power in Europe.

What was the fake flashpoint of the Crimean War?

Religious disagreements betweent the Roman Catholich and the Eastern Orthodox Church arguing over who should hold the key to the holy sepulchre

Scenario of the Crimean War

The Crimean Peninsula, where it joinds with the Black Sea, on the South of Ukraine. There were lots of oil reserves in this area.

Battle of Balaclava. Describe it.

The Battle of Balaclava took place in Russia. The British troops were equipped neither for the Russian winter nor for a long siege. The cold was so intense and the British were so badly equipped that the men had to put stockings over their faces and cut the eye and mouth holes out.

What was Russell’s role during the Crimean War?

Russell was the first war correspondent. He reported on the course of the war criticising the regulations of the British Government. It was the first time that a nation’s public had been made aware of the suffering armies.

What were the conditions of the British army during the Crimean War?

Soldiers were falling ill because of their poor diet and bales of urgently needed supplies couldn’t be unpacked unless a board was called. Bales of winter uniforms would languish for weeks unopened because enough members of a board could barely be found at the same time. Meanwhile, the troops on the field missed the winter coats waiting at the quayside, and the wounds of the sick worsened without the clean lint trussed up in the bales.

What did Florence Nightingale discover as the cause of death of many soldiers?

Florence Nightingale identified unsanitary conditions and lack of hygiene as major contributors to soldier mortality rates during the Crimean War. As a result, she implemented improved sanitation practices to reduce the spread of disease and save lives.

what marked the end of the Crimean War?

The Treaty of Paris, marked the end of the Crimean War by neutralising the Black Sea.

What was the real reason for the Indian Mutiny?

The Mutiny stemmed from widespread resentment among the Indian population towards the rapid westernisation policies imposed by the British, which threatened traditional social structures and religious customs.

What was the flashpoint of the Indian Mutiny?

A rumor concerning the new Enfield rifle sparked widespread unrest and rebellion among Indian soldiers. It was said it needed pig and cow tallow to grease the cartridges, and for the Hindus the cows were sacred and for the Muslims it was the pig. So soldiers refused to use it.

Who appeared as the opposition of Palmerstone in the Indian Mutiny?

Gladstone emerged as a vocal critic of Palmerston's handling of the Indian Mutiny, advocating for a more measured and just approach towards the Indian population.

What book increased Briton’s belief in their civilization and led to social Darwinism?

Charles Darwin’s book “Origin of Species“ promoted the belief in British civilization and the ideology of social Darwinism.

Social Darwinism

Some nations were destined to disappear under the hands of the better nations because they would bring civilisation (language and culture) to the uncivilised ones.

Who was a missionary that crossed central Africa to bring Christianity and Civilization, and to denounce slavery?

David Livingstone sought to spread Christianity, promote civilization, and combat slavery by journeying across central Africa.

What did the construction of the Suez Canal do

Facilitated trade and communication between Britain and India, it reduced travel times, strengthened imperial ties, and boosted economic interactions.

Who became president and abolished slavery during the American Civil War?

Abraham Lincoln led the Union during the Civil War and issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which abolished slavery in Confederate territories, marking a turning point in American history.

What were the rights women gained during the 19th century?

Accepted at Cambridge, custody of infants in divorce cases, establishment of the London Medical School for Women, Married Women’s Property Act→ which ended the husband’s rights to his wife’s earnings.

Which were the arguments to deny women’s right?

o    Women were biologically inferior (with supposedly smaller brains than men's).

o    Women were more emotional or sensitive, which would affect their discipline.

o    The divine origin of gender roles dictated women should be at home caring for children, otherwise, there would be "feminine men fighting in wars, which meant losing them".

What were women not allowed to do?

Women could not vote, study, or own property.

Who became prime minister who support the imperial ambitions

Disraeli advocated for territorial expansion and the consolidation of British power, bolstered imperial ambitions during his tenure.

What happened with unmarried women?

Unmarried women often became nurses, nuns, or prostitutes.

What was the Conference of Berlin about?

The Conference of Berlin was held to peacefully divide the continent of Africa among European powers, formalizing the Scramble for Africa and establishing rules for colonial occupation.

What countries were rubbing up against one another in colonial and commercial rivalry round the world?

Germany and Great Britain were in conflict for colonial possessions and commercial dominance across the globe, leading to heightened tensions and contributing to the complex dynamics of international relations.

What were the consequences of the Stamp Act?

It led to widespread protests and riots, as colonists viewed it as taxation without representation, significantly escalating tensions between Britain and its American colonies

Why the payment to the MPs?

Because the new representatives were not rich, they belonged to the middle class, which couldn’t afford it if it was not paid. After all it was a job!

Why did Great Britain care about Opium being forbidden in China?

Because it threatened their trade

What were the Boer Wars?

Conflict fought between Britain and the Boers (Dutch settlers) in South Africa. The wars were driven by British imperial ambitions and the desire to control valuable resources like gold and diamonds.

What is Socialism?

Political ideology advocating for collective ownership and control of the means of production and distribution. It emphasized social equality and cooperation, challenging the individualistic ethos of capitalism and imperialism.

Who was Disraeli?

British politician and Prime Minister who championed imperial expansion and conservative policies. He played a key role in shaping British foreign policy during the late 19th century.

What is Imperialism?

The policy of extending a nation's power and influence through diplomacy or military force, driven by economic, strategic, and ideological, social or cultural motives.