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.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
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.
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
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.
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).
Lesson 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