1.2 Widening the Franchise & debates over Suffrage.
KEY MILESTONES
1832
Great Reform Act
Brought about the most significant changes – extend the franchise to around 800,000
people (1 in 5 male adults & around 6% of population)
Create seats in the Commons to represent cities that had begun to emerge due to
the industrial revolution.
Disbanded many rotten boroughs by redrawing constituency boundaries.
1867
Second Reform Act
Major move to enfranchise the urban male working classes.
Product of a significant shift in thinking about citizenship, democracy and rights over
the decades.
The Chartist movement put universal male suffrage, the secret ballot & other social
reforms at the top of the political agenda.
American Civil War had come to symbolise enfranchisement & progressive
democratic ideals, emboldening liberal campaigners.
1887
Third Reform Act.
Extended vote to all working men.
Electorate increased to over 5.5 million.
Still left all women & 40% of adult men disenfranchised.
Representation of the People Act 1918
Made women eligible to vote in UK-wide elections.
Enfranchised women over 30 & all men 21+
Came at a time of significant social & political change for women.
Workplace was transforming – availability of clerical jobs and some professional
careers for the first time.
1928
Franchise further extended.
All men & women 21+ can vote in the Representation of the People (Equal Franchise)
Act.
Act eliminated the property qualifications for women set out in 1918.
1969
KEY MILESTONES
1832
Great Reform Act
Brought about the most significant changes – extend the franchise to around 800,000
people (1 in 5 male adults & around 6% of population)
Create seats in the Commons to represent cities that had begun to emerge due to
the industrial revolution.
Disbanded many rotten boroughs by redrawing constituency boundaries.
1867
Second Reform Act
Major move to enfranchise the urban male working classes.
Product of a significant shift in thinking about citizenship, democracy and rights over
the decades.
The Chartist movement put universal male suffrage, the secret ballot & other social
reforms at the top of the political agenda.
American Civil War had come to symbolise enfranchisement & progressive
democratic ideals, emboldening liberal campaigners.
1887
Third Reform Act.
Extended vote to all working men.
Electorate increased to over 5.5 million.
Still left all women & 40% of adult men disenfranchised.
Representation of the People Act 1918
Made women eligible to vote in UK-wide elections.
Enfranchised women over 30 & all men 21+
Came at a time of significant social & political change for women.
Workplace was transforming – availability of clerical jobs and some professional
careers for the first time.
1928
Franchise further extended.
All men & women 21+ can vote in the Representation of the People (Equal Franchise)
Act.
Act eliminated the property qualifications for women set out in 1918.
1969
