Widening the franchise in 19th century Britain
I can evaluate changes to the franchise in Britain during the 19th century.
Widening the franchise in 19th century Britain
I can evaluate changes to the franchise in Britain during the 19th century.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The franchise remained limited after the 1832 Great Reform Act.
- Reform Acts in 1867 and 1884 expanded the franchise.
- Working class voters were enfranchised for the first time in 1867.
- Property qualifications continued to disenfranchise the poorest voters.
- Women remained disenfranchised throughout the 19th century.
Common misconception
All working class men gained the right to vote due to the 1867 and 1884 Reform Acts.
As property qualifications remained in place, a significant proportion of working class adult men remained unable to vote even after 1884.
Keywords
Franchise - the group of people who can vote in a country's elections
Property qualification - the need to own property in order to do something, such as voting
Disenfranchised - to take away power or opportunities, especially the right to vote, from a person or group
Residuum - word used to describe a group of people imagined as an underclass
Householder - the person who owns a house
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
enfranchised middle class men
enfranchised some working class men in urban areas
enfranchised some working class men in rural areas