Government and Reform, 1815-1918 (Access to History)

Providing an account of the development of democracy in Britain, this book starts from the "unreformed" political system before 1832 to the Parliamentary Reform Acts passed between 1832 and 1918, with the extension of the franchise, the secret ballot and the elimination of corrupt practices. Other central themes are also examined; the development of local govenment and its influence on national politics, and the changing role of the monarchy and its reasons for survival. The book includes summary diagrams and advice for students on note-taking and examination skills. Particular consideration is given to meeting the needs of students following the London Syllabus E, with its paper on "English Social Conditions, 1832-1914". It also provides an integrated examination of the major themes: political reform alongside a consideration of the monarchy; parliamentary reform alongside local reform; and the House of Lords alongside the House of Commons.