Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Britain, c1785–c1870: democracy, protest and reform - 1 The growth of…
Full specification wording
Paper 1, Option 1D: Britain, c1785–c1870: democracy, protest and reform - 1 The growth of parliamentary democracy, c1785–c1870: Pressure for change and reform, 1820–52: economic and social distress, and popular pressure, 1820–32; reasons for the passing of the Great Reform Act 1832 and its significance; Chartist demands and the failure of Chartism; change and continuity in the new electoral landscape.
Between 1820 and 1852, Britain faced intense pressure for change and reform.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Between 1820 and 1852, Britain faced intense pressure for change and reform. From 1820 to 1832, economic depression and social distress fuelled popular pressure, exemplified by the Swing Riots (1830) and the Days of May (1832). The Great Reform Act 1832 passed due to Whig leadership, public pressure, and fear of revolution; its significance lay in redistributing seats and extending the franchise. Chartism (1838–48) demanded universal male suffrage, secret ballot, annual parliaments, equal constituencies, payment for MPs, and no property qualifications. Despite mass support, Chartism failed due to internal divisions, lack of middle-class backing, and government repression. The new electoral landscape saw increased contests, but continuity remained: working-class men were excluded, and corruption persisted.
What earns the marks
- Explains the economic and social distress of 1820–32, including depression, unemployment, and events like the Swing Riots.
- Analyses the popular pressure for reform between 1820 and 1832, including petitions, the Days of May, and the role of radical leaders.
- Evaluates the reasons for the passing of the Great Reform Act 1832: Whig initiative, public pressure, and fear of revolution.
- Assesses the significance of the 1832 Act: redistribution of seats, franchise extension, and its impact on party politics.
- Outlines Chartist demands (the People's Charter) and explains the failure of Chartism: internal divisions, lack of middle-class support, and government opposition.
- Examines change and continuity in the new electoral landscape after 1832: increased contests and electorate size, but continued exclusion of many working-class men and women, and persistent corruption.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Assuming the 1832 Reform Act gave the vote to the working class.
Put it right: It mainly benefited the middle class and did not enfranchise the majority of working-class men.
Citing the Peterloo Massacre (1819) as an event occurring within the 1820–32 period of popular pressure.
Put it right: Peterloo occurred in 1819; use events like the Swing Riots (1830) or the Bristol Riots (1831) for the 1820–32 period.
Believing Chartism failed solely due to government repression.
Put it right: Internal divisions (e.g., moral vs. physical force) and lack of middle-class support were also crucial factors.
Exam tips
- Use specific evidence from 1820–32, such as the Swing Riots or the Bristol Riots, to illustrate popular pressure.
- When discussing the 1832 Act, distinguish between its causes and its consequences, and consider different interpretations.
- For Chartism, be precise about the six points and explain why each was important to supporters.
- Compare the electoral landscape before and after 1832 to highlight both change and continuity.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 1, Option 1D: Britain, c1785–c1870: democracy, protest and reform - 1 The growth of parliamentary democracy, c1785–c1870: Pressure for change and reform, 1820–52: economic and social distress, and popular pressure, 1820–32; reasons for the passing of the Great Reform Act 1832 and its significance; Chartist demands and the failure of Chartism; change and continuity in the new electoral landscape. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which demand appeared in the People's Charter of 1838?
Listen
Between 1820 and 1852, Britain faced intense pressure for change and reform. From 1820 to 1832, economic depression and social distress fuelled popular pressure, exemplified by the Swing Riots (1830) and the Days of May (1832). The Great Reform Act 1832 passed due to Whig leadership, public pressure, and fear of revolution; its significance lay in redistributing seats and extending the franchise. Chartism (1838–48) demanded universal male suffrage, secret ballot, annual parliaments, equal constituencies, payment for MPs, and no property qualifications. Despite mass support, Chartism failed due to internal divisions, lack of middle-class backing, and government repression. The new electoral landscape saw increased contests, but continuity remained: working-class men were excluded, and corruption persisted. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains the economic and social distress of 1820–32, including depression, unemployment, and events like the Swing Riots. Analyses the popular pressure for reform between 1820 and 1832, including petitions, the Days of May, and the role of radical leaders. Evaluates the reasons for the passing of the Great Reform Act 1832: Whig initiative, public pressure, and fear of revolution. Assesses the significance of the 1832 Act: redistribution of seats, franchise extension, and its impact on party politics. A common slip: Assuming the 1832 Reform Act gave the vote to the working class. Instead, it mainly benefited the middle class and did not enfranchise the majority of working-class men. Exam tip: Use specific evidence from 1820–32, such as the Swing Riots or the Bristol Riots, to illustrate popular pressure.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Chartism begins with its demands
- 2. The Swing Riots occur
- 3. The Days of May occur
- 4. The Bristol Riots take place
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Great Reform Act 1832
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Chartist demands
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Failure of Chartism
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
New electoral landscape
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Great Reform Act 1832
- Passed due to Whig leadership, public pressure and fear of revolution, its significance lay in redistributing seats and extending the franchise.
- Chartist demands
- Universal male suffrage, secret ballot, annual parliaments, equal constituencies, payment for MPs and no property qualifications.
- Failure of Chartism
- Despite mass support, it failed due to internal divisions, lack of middle-class backing and government repression.
- New electoral landscape
- Saw increased contests, but continuity remained: working-class men were excluded and corruption persisted.
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Test your understanding of Paper 1, Option 1D: Britain, c1785–c1870: democracy, protest and reform - 1 The growth of parliamentary democracy, c1785–c1870: Pressure for change and reform, 1820–52: economic and social distress, and popular pressure, 1820–32; reasons for the passing of the Great Reform Act 1832 and its significance; Chartist demands and the failure of Chartism; change and continuity in the new electoral landscape.
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