A Century of ReformA Century of Reform

Bell work #2 Bell work #2 Evelyn a brilliant student will probably get Evelyn a brilliant student will probably get a higher score then I will betty remarkeda higher score then I will betty remarked

A Century of Reform A Century of Reform 1800s, Parliament gradually passed a series of 1800s, Parliament gradually passed a series of

social and economic reforms. Many laws helped social and economic reforms. Many laws helped women, men, and children whose labor supported women, men, and children whose labor supported the new industrial society.the new industrial society.

Free trade- Britain, taxed foreign imports in order Free trade- Britain, taxed foreign imports in order to protect local economies. 1800s controversy to protect local economies. 1800s controversy erupted over the erupted over the Corn LawsCorn Laws, which imposed high , which imposed high tariffs on imported grain. Farmers and wealthy land tariffs on imported grain. Farmers and wealthy land owners supported the laws because they dept the owners supported the laws because they dept the price of British grain high. Middle class did not price of British grain high. Middle class did not support it. They argued that it would make bread support it. They argued that it would make bread cheaper for city workers and would also open up cheaper for city workers and would also open up trade in general. Parliament finally repealed the trade in general. Parliament finally repealed the Corn Laws in 1846. A victory for free trade and Corn Laws in 1846. A victory for free trade and Laissez faire capitalism.Laissez faire capitalism.

Abolition of SlaveryAbolition of Slavery In 1833, Parliament passed a law banning slavery in In 1833, Parliament passed a law banning slavery in

all British colonies. Still, British textile manufactures all British colonies. Still, British textile manufactures continued to import cheap cotton produced by continued to import cheap cotton produced by enslaved African Americans in the U.S.enslaved African Americans in the U.S.

Crime and Punishment- Other reforms were aimed at Crime and Punishment- Other reforms were aimed at the criminal justice system. More than 200 crimes the criminal justice system. More than 200 crimes were punishable by death. Such capital offenses were punishable by death. Such capital offenses included, not only murder, but also shoplifting, sheep included, not only murder, but also shoplifting, sheep stealing, or impersonating and army veteran. 1850 stealing, or impersonating and army veteran. 1850 Victorian reformers began to reduce the number of Victorian reformers began to reduce the number of capital offenses. Prison became a better place and capital offenses. Prison became a better place and people were not sentenced to death for small people were not sentenced to death for small infractions.infractions.

Victories for WorkersVictories for Workers Despite restrictions, unions spread, and gradually Despite restrictions, unions spread, and gradually

they won additional rights. Between 1890 and 1914, they won additional rights. Between 1890 and 1914, union membership soared. They won Higher wages union membership soared. They won Higher wages and shorter hours. They also, pressed for other laws and shorter hours. They also, pressed for other laws to improve the lives of the working class.to improve the lives of the working class.

Other Reforms- 1800s both political parties enacted Other Reforms- 1800s both political parties enacted reforms. Disraeli sponsored laws to improve public reforms. Disraeli sponsored laws to improve public health and housing for workers in cities. Under health and housing for workers in cities. Under Gladstone an Education Act called for free Gladstone an Education Act called for free elementary education for all children. He also pushed elementary education for all children. He also pushed to open up government jobs based on merit rather to open up government jobs based on merit rather than birth or wealth.than birth or wealth.

Votes for WomenVotes for Women 1900s, Emmeline Pankhurst, a leading suffragist, had 1900s, Emmeline Pankhurst, a leading suffragist, had

become convinced that only aggressive tactics would become convinced that only aggressive tactics would bring victory.bring victory.

Radical suffragists interrupted speakers in Parliament, Radical suffragists interrupted speakers in Parliament, Shouting, “Votes for women!” They organized huge Shouting, “Votes for women!” They organized huge public demonstrations. When peaceful efforts brought no public demonstrations. When peaceful efforts brought no results, some women turned to violent protest. They results, some women turned to violent protest. They smashed windows or burned buildings. Pankhurst and her smashed windows or burned buildings. Pankhurst and her daughters were arrested and jailed. Some women went on daughters were arrested and jailed. Some women went on hunger strikes and had to be force feed through tubes. hunger strikes and had to be force feed through tubes. Pankhurst declared “There is something that governments Pankhurst declared “There is something that governments care far more for than human life, and that is the security care far more for than human life, and that is the security of property, so it is through property that we shall strike of property, so it is through property that we shall strike the enemy.”the enemy.”

A Belated VictoryA Belated Victory 1918, Parliament finally granted suffrage to 1918, Parliament finally granted suffrage to

women over the age of 30. Younger women did women over the age of 30. Younger women did not win the right to vote for another decade.not win the right to vote for another decade.

Ireland For the Irish- The Irish never accepted Ireland For the Irish- The Irish never accepted rule by the English. The Irish bitterly resented rule by the English. The Irish bitterly resented settlers, especially landlords who held large tracts settlers, especially landlords who held large tracts of land. Many Irish peasants lived in desperate of land. Many Irish peasants lived in desperate poverty, while paying high rents to English poverty, while paying high rents to English landlords. Irish who were mostly catholic had to landlords. Irish who were mostly catholic had to pay tithes to support the Anglican church. Under pay tithes to support the Anglican church. Under these conditions resistance and rebellion were these conditions resistance and rebellion were common.common.

Irish NationalismIrish Nationalism Irish nationalism campaigned vigorously for Irish nationalism campaigned vigorously for

freedom in the 1800s “My first object,” said freedom in the 1800s “My first object,” said Nationalist leader Daniel O’Connell, “is to get Nationalist leader Daniel O’Connell, “is to get Ireland for the Irish.”Ireland for the Irish.”

Under Connell Britain slowly moved to improve Under Connell Britain slowly moved to improve conditions in Ireland. 1829, Parliament passed the conditions in Ireland. 1829, Parliament passed the Catholic Emancipation Act, which allowed Irish Catholic Emancipation Act, which allowed Irish Catholics to vote and hold political office. Yet Catholics to vote and hold political office. Yet many injustices remained. Absentee landlords many injustices remained. Absentee landlords could evict tenants almost at will. Britain also, could evict tenants almost at will. Britain also, forbid the teaching and speaking of the Irish forbid the teaching and speaking of the Irish language.language.

The Great HungerThe Great Hunger Under British rule, three quarters of Irish farmland was Under British rule, three quarters of Irish farmland was

used to grow crops that were imported to England. The used to grow crops that were imported to England. The potato, introduced from the Americas, became the main potato, introduced from the Americas, became the main source of food for most of the Irish people themselves. source of food for most of the Irish people themselves. Then in 1845, disaster struck. A disease, destroyed the Then in 1845, disaster struck. A disease, destroyed the potato crop. Other crops such as wheat and oats, were not potato crop. Other crops such as wheat and oats, were not affected. Yet British landowners continued to ship these affected. Yet British landowners continued to ship these crops outside Ireland, leaving little for the Irish except the crops outside Ireland, leaving little for the Irish except the blighted potatoes. The result was a terrible famine that the blighted potatoes. The result was a terrible famine that the Irish called the “Great Hunger.” Irish called the “Great Hunger.”

In four years, at least one million Irish died of starvation In four years, at least one million Irish died of starvation or disease. The Great Hunger left a legacy of Irish or disease. The Great Hunger left a legacy of Irish bitterness toward the English tat still exist today.bitterness toward the English tat still exist today.