1. Britain Becomes More Democratic

2. Reforming Parliament: Pressure for Change 1815- Britain was a constitutional monarchy with a Parliament + 2 political parties House of lords (hereditary) could veto any bill passed by House of Commons Non-Protestants could not vote or serve in Parliament- After 1820s they were granted equal political rights Populous new cities had no seats b/c they had not existed in earlier times- unfair system Parliament passed the Great Reform Act in 1832 which redistributed seats in the House of Commons giving representation to large towns + cities Enlarged electorate- body of people allowed to vote Rural + urban workers wanted more change 1830s drew up Peoples Charter- demanded universal male suffrage, annual parliamentary elections + salaries for Parliament members, secret ballot

3. The Victorian Age- Symbol of a Nation’s values and New Era in British Politics Victoria ruled 1837 to 1901, reign was longest in British history Victorian ideals= duty, honesty, hard work and respectability 1860s: Benjamin Disraeli forged Tories into modern Conservative Party Whigs led by William Gladstone evolved into Liberal Party House of Lords used veto power to block house of Commons attempt to increase taxes on the wealthy After 1911 Liberals passed many bills trying to restrict power of the Lords, with time House of Lords lost power and became a ceremonial body

4. Queen Victoria

5. Prince Albert

6. Albert Memorial and Royal Albert Hall

7. William Gladstone & Benjamin Disraeli

8. A Century of Reform 1807 Britain became first leading European power to abolish the slave trade 1833 Parliament passed a law banning slavery in all British colonies Laws passed to regulate conditions in factories + mines Inspectors sent to check conditions Minimum wage set + maximum hours of work set Unions made legal in 1825, strikes still illegal 1900 new Labor Party Earlier 1900s- social welfare laws passed to protect poor and disadvantaged, insurance + old age pensions Women wanted right to vote-organized public demonstrations=many arrested and jailed 1918 Parliament finally granted suffrage to women over 30

9. Slave Trade

11. Women’s Suffrage

12. The Great Hunger Potato was main source of food for the Irish 1845 disease destroyed the potato crop In 4 years at least 1 million Irish men, women + children died of starvation or disease 1 million emigrated to the US/Canada 1850s – 1870s Irish still fought to liberate Ireland from British rule 1921 Ireland became independent

13. Potato Famine