LEARNING INTENTIONSLEARNING INTENTIONS

• Explain the ways that Britain became a democracy

• Summarise the various laws and changes which helped achieve this

Timeline

1867

Second Reform

Act

Newspaper Stamp Duty

scrapped

1855

Ballot Act

1872

Corruption and Illegal Practices

Act

1883

Redistribution of Seats Act

1885

Labour Party

formed

1900

Representation of the People

Act

1948

1949Parliament

Act

1885Election Corrupt

Practices Act

1911Parliament

Act

1884

Third Reform

Act

1872Primary

education in

Scotland

1928Equal

Franchise Act

Representation of the People

Act

1918

Newspaper Stamp Newspaper Stamp Duty abolished, Duty abolished, 18551855

The Newspaper Stamp Act abolished Stamp Duty (tax).

This made newspapers cheaper to make and sell, allowing more people to buy them.

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Second Reform Act, Second Reform Act, 18671867

This gave the vote to some members of the working class for the first time.

1/3 of all men in the UK could now vote (men who owned property, paid £10+ per year in rent, reduced qualifications in the countryside).

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Ballot Act, Ballot Act, 18721872

Introduced secret votes in the United Kingdom.

People could now vote without anyone else knowing who they had given their support to.

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Compulsory Primary Compulsory Primary Education, Education, 18721872

All children in Scotland up to the age of 12 had to receive a primary level education (introduced in 1870 across the UK).

Improved overall level of education in the UK.

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Corrupt and Illegal Corrupt and Illegal Practices Act, Practices Act, 18831883

Introduced spending limits in elections and described what money could be spent on.

Limit was £710 per 2000 voters and £40 for each additional 1000 voters; banned spending on food, alcohol, etc.

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Third Reform Act, Third Reform Act, 18841884

Further extended voting rights to working classes; 2/3 of all men could now vote.

Men in towns and countryside could vote on equal basis; all make homeowners and those paying £10+ per year in rent.

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Redistribution of Seats Redistribution of Seats Act, Act, 18851885

Took seats away from certain countryside areas; gave more seats to towns and cities.

Areas such as Scotland and north of England gained more MPs.

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Elections Corrupt Elections Corrupt Practices Act, Practices Act, 18851885

Gave all workers the right to time off to go and vote in elections.

Had to be on equal basis; not just to supporters of certain parties or candidates.

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Labour Representation Labour Representation Committee formed, Committee formed,

19001900

New political party formed, largely based on trade union influence.

Became known as the Labour Party in 1906.

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Parliament Act, Parliament Act, 19111911

Paid MPs for the first time (£400 per year).

Limited power of House of Lords (could only delay laws for up to two years). Couldn't stop ‘money bills’.

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Representation of the Representation of the People Act, People Act, 19181918

Gave vote to all men over the age of 21.

Gave some women the vote for the first time; women over 30 who met certain qualifications e.g. married women over 30, some property owners, etc.

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Representation of the Representation of the People Act, People Act, 19281928

Gave vote to all men and women age 21+.

Men and vote now had the vote on an equal basis for the first time ever.

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Representation of the Representation of the People Act, People Act, 19481948

Abolished plural voting (one person being to vote in more than one constituency).

Abolished university constituencies/MPs too.

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Parliament Act, Parliament Act, 19491949

Further reduced power of the House of Lords.

Could now only delay bills for up to one year.

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