The Development of Democracy in Britain: 1850-1918 (A-Grade History Lectures Book 6)

In the middle of the nineteenth century Britain was not a democracy. By the end of the First World War it was. This transformation took place without a violent revolution, through a series of acts of parliament, accompanied by profound social and cultural changes.
This series of three lectures looks first at what exactly "democracy" means. The second lecture analyses and explains the developments of 1850 to 1872. The third lecture carries the story forward to 1918.
As well as summarising what happened, these lectures place a lot of emphasis on explaining why these reforms were passed - usually by politicians whose own careers benefited from the old system. They also point out the implications of the reforms.
George Harris wrote these lectures for the hard-working and ambitious examination candidate, who wants something more challenging than the basic text-book but who lacks the time for a full length monograph. As a result they are also ideal for the adult reader who gave up History at school but who now wishes to find out more.