A.
Industrial Revolution brought
wealth & power to Great Britain
Result: created economic &
social inequality
B. Ideas of “Liberalism” influence
politics & leads to reforms
Liberalism: support of government
protection of individual rights and
civil liberties
A.
Parliament was “real” ruler of Great Britain (Glorious
Revolution of 1688)
Problems: only men who owned property could vote
only wealthy landowner elected to House of Commons
representative districts do not reflect population change
B.
British Political Parties:
1. Liberal Party (Whigs)= reformers; represented
interests of workers
2. Conservative Party (Tory)= represented wealthy
landowners
C.
Early Reforms:
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Reform Bill of 1832
Factory Act of 1833
Slavery abolished in 1833
Corn Laws repealed in 1846
A.
Workingman’s Association founded by William
Lovett in 1836
B. Reforms suggested in the People’s Charter:
1. universal manhood suffrage
2. electoral districts redrawn
3. salaries for parliament (workers can join)
IV.)

“The Victorian Era was so called because of the reign of Queen
Victoria who was ruler over the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Her
reign was the longest in the history of the United Kingdom and lasted
between the years June 1837 and January 1901. Thus the years 18401900 became known as the Victorian Era.”
A. Queen Victoria gave her prime
ministers power over govt. &
didn’t interfere often
B. Benjamin Disraeli: Conservative
party 2 term prime minister ;
focused in on foreign affairs
1. gained Suez Canal in Egypt
2. gained India as colony
C.
Reforms under Gladstone:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Education Act of 1870
Secret Ballot adopted in 1872
Reform Bill of 1884
Urged “home rule” for Ireland
William Gladstone: Liberal
party 2 term prime minister;
focused on domestic &
financial affairs
A.
Fabian Society formed in 1884
1. aim to improve society (socialist/education ideas)
2. 1906 Labour Party created (upset at Liberals/Conservatives)
B.
Herbert Asquith: Liberal who becomes prime minister in
1905 and passes social welfare laws
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Pension law
Health Insurance Law
*Raised Taxes
Unemployment Insurance
to pay for these
Parliament Act of 1911: House of Lords veto power removed
1911 Law gave House of Commons yearly salary
Suffragettes: women who campaign for their right to vote