Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780–1928 - 1…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 36.1: Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780–1928 - 1 Reform of parliament: Reform and redistribution, c1780–1928: the problems of representation c1780; the failure of Pitt’s proposals; reasons for resistance to, and key changes brought by, reform (key developments: Representation of the People Acts 1832–1928, Redistribution Act 1885, the Ballot Act 1872, the Corrupt Practices Act 1883); the extent of change by 1928.
Representation c1780 was uneven: counties and boroughs had different franchises, growing towns lacked MPs, and patron-controlled boroughs survived.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 2
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Representation c1780 was uneven: counties and boroughs had different franchises, growing towns lacked MPs, and patron-controlled boroughs survived. Pitt's proposals in the 1780s to remove rotten boroughs failed, blocked by vested interests, lack of royal support and parliamentary apathy. Resistance to reform came from Crown, Lords, landowners and those fearing revolution. Change came through the Representation of the People Acts 1832–1928, widening the franchise; the Redistribution Act 1885, moving seats to populous areas; the Ballot Act 1872, introducing secret voting; and the Corrupt Practices Act 1883, curbing bribery and setting spending limits. By 1928 Britain had universal adult suffrage, though plural voting persisted.
What earns the marks
- Explains the problems of representation c1780, including unequal borough and county franchises and unrepresented towns.
- Explains why Pitt's proposals failed, citing aristocratic and borough interests, parliamentary apathy and lack of royal support.
- Analyses reasons for resistance to reform, including Lords' veto power, property fears and revolutionary anxiety.
- Explains key changes: franchise Acts 1832–1928, Redistribution Act 1885, Ballot Act 1872 and Corrupt Practices Act 1883.
- Assesses the extent of change by 1928, noting universal adult suffrage alongside surviving anomalies such as plural voting.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating the Ballot Act 1872 as a franchise measure.
Put it right by explaining it introduced secret voting, not new voters.
Assuming the Corrupt Practices Act 1883 ended all corruption.
Put it right by stating it curbed bribery and set candidate spending limits.
Claiming 1885 created equal constituencies.
Put it right by explaining it redistributed seats towards populous areas but left unequal boundaries.
Exam tips
- Separate franchise, redistribution, ballot and corruption measures when explaining change.
- Use specific evidence such as Pitt's 1785 bill or the 1885 seat redistribution to support claims.
- Conclude on the extent of change by 1928 with a clear criterion, such as who could vote or how seats matched population.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 36.1: Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780–1928 - 1 Reform of parliament: Reform and redistribution, c1780–1928: the problems of representation c1780; the failure of Pitt’s proposals; reasons for resistance to, and key changes brought by, reform (key developments: Representation of the People Acts 1832–1928, Redistribution Act 1885, the Ballot Act 1872, the Corrupt Practices Act 1883); the extent of change by 1928. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What was the main purpose of the Ballot Act of 1872?
Listen
Representation c1780 was uneven: counties and boroughs had different franchises, growing towns lacked MPs, and patron-controlled boroughs survived. Pitt's proposals in the 1780s to remove rotten boroughs failed, blocked by vested interests, lack of royal support and parliamentary apathy. Resistance to reform came from Crown, Lords, landowners and those fearing revolution. Change came through the Representation of the People Acts 1832–1928, widening the franchise; the Redistribution Act 1885, moving seats to populous areas; the Ballot Act 1872, introducing secret voting; and the Corrupt Practices Act 1883, curbing bribery and setting spending limits. By 1928 Britain had universal adult suffrage, though plural voting persisted. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains the problems of representation c1780, including unequal borough and county franchises and unrepresented towns. Explains why Pitt's proposals failed, citing aristocratic and borough interests, parliamentary apathy and lack of royal support. Analyses reasons for resistance to reform, including Lords' veto power, property fears and revolutionary anxiety. Explains key changes: franchise Acts 1832–1928, Redistribution Act 1885, Ballot Act 1872 and Corrupt Practices Act 1883. A common slip: Treating the Ballot Act 1872 as a franchise measure. Instead, explaining it introduced secret voting, not new voters. Exam tip: Separate franchise, redistribution, ballot and corruption measures when explaining change.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Ballot Act introduced secret voting
- 2. Redistribution Act moved seats to populous areas
- 3. Corrupt Practices Act curbed bribery and set spending limits
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Problems of representation
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Failed reform and resistance
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Legislative change
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Extent of democratisation
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Problems of representation
- Uneven representation c1780: counties and boroughs had different franchises, growing towns lacked MPs, and patron-controlled boroughs survived.
- Failed reform and resistance
- Pitt's proposals in the 1780s to remove rotten boroughs failed, blocked by vested interests, lack of royal support and parliamentary apathy, while resistance came from Crown, Lords, landowners and those fearing revolution.
- Legislative change
- Change came through the Representation of the People Acts 1832–1928, the Redistribution Act 1885, the Ballot Act 1872 and the Corrupt Practices Act 1883.
- Extent of democratisation
- By 1928 Britain had universal adult suffrage, though plural voting persisted.
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Test your understanding of Paper 3, Option 36.1: Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780–1928 - 1 Reform of parliament: Reform and redistribution, c1780–1928: the problems of representation c1780; the failure of Pitt’s proposals; reasons for resistance to, and key changes brought by, reform (key developments: Representation of the People Acts 1832–1928, Redistribution Act 1885, the Ballot Act 1872, the Corrupt Practices Act 1883); the extent of change by 1928.
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