Describe any three factors that contributed to the progress towards democracy in Britain.
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Between 1850 and 1928, through the introduction of a series of acts of parliament, Britain became a democratic country. All the features that would be expected in a democracy were put in place.. For example, the franchise was made universal,the constituencies were more or less shared equally across the country, voting was protected etc. The three important factors that contributed towards the progress of democracy in Britain were as follows.
1. Social and economic change-- In the 1850s, the political system in Britain came under increasing pressure as a result of social and economic change. The 19th century saw rapid growth in the size and movement in population. Industrial Revolution changed where people lived, how they worked, how they saw their position in society. At the time of large scale industrialization, urbanization and social change the government was still run by the upper class, elected by a small, male minority. Many in the growing business and trade classes felt their efforts were making Britain rich but that they and the town and cities in which that lived were under represented. They believed the power should be shared with the middle class and common people also. That led to the growth in the democracy.
2. Growing public interest-- By the 1860s, there was growing public interest in the political system. Despite the lack of compulsory education, education levels were growing rapidly. Linked to this,was the growth of national newspapers. These newspapers focused on national issues such as politics and they were also the main reading materials for many in the society. Some newspapers used to compare between Britain's political system with that of the other countries. All of this combined to cause people to realize that there was much wrong with the political system and changes were needed.
3. Influence from abroad-- The American War of Independence, The French Revolution and The Revolution in Europe -- all influenced the formation of reform societies and pressure groups in Britain. Radical, political ideas such as those of Thomas Paine, stated in his book,'The Right of Man', were discussed and written about. That created popular enthusiasm for democracy and desire for political reforms.
1. Social and economic change-- In the 1850s, the political system in Britain came under increasing pressure as a result of social and economic change. The 19th century saw rapid growth in the size and movement in population. Industrial Revolution changed where people lived, how they worked, how they saw their position in society. At the time of large scale industrialization, urbanization and social change the government was still run by the upper class, elected by a small, male minority. Many in the growing business and trade classes felt their efforts were making Britain rich but that they and the town and cities in which that lived were under represented. They believed the power should be shared with the middle class and common people also. That led to the growth in the democracy.
2. Growing public interest-- By the 1860s, there was growing public interest in the political system. Despite the lack of compulsory education, education levels were growing rapidly. Linked to this,was the growth of national newspapers. These newspapers focused on national issues such as politics and they were also the main reading materials for many in the society. Some newspapers used to compare between Britain's political system with that of the other countries. All of this combined to cause people to realize that there was much wrong with the political system and changes were needed.
3. Influence from abroad-- The American War of Independence, The French Revolution and The Revolution in Europe -- all influenced the formation of reform societies and pressure groups in Britain. Radical, political ideas such as those of Thomas Paine, stated in his book,'The Right of Man', were discussed and written about. That created popular enthusiasm for democracy and desire for political reforms.
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