1. Chapter 11 Section 2 A Century of Reform in Britain

2. Economic reforms that benefited British workers and others
Free trade – trade between countries without quotas, tariffs, etc.
Early 1800’s foreign imports were taxed to protect local industries
Supporters of free trade
Increased market outside England
Consumers would benefit from more competition (lower prices)
Corn Laws kept price of British grain high with high tariffs on imported grains
Farmers & wealthy landowners supported Corn Laws, made more money
Free traders wanted Corn Laws repealed (canceled)
The result would be lower price of grain
Make price of bread cheaper for workers
Open up trade

3. The issue of slavery in Britain
1807 – Britain 1st European nation to abolish slave trade
1833 – banned slavery in all British colonies

4. Capital Crimes Crimes punishable by death Early 1800’s over 200 crimes
1850 reduced number of capital offenses to treason, murder, piracy & arson
Petty criminal sent to penal colonies – special settlements for convicts – Australia, New Zealand
1868- ended public hangings, improved prison conditions outlawed imprisonment for debt

5. Reforms for Industrial workers
1842 mine workers could no longer employ women or children under 10
1847 women & children – 10 hour day
Late 1800’s improved safety conditions, set minimum wages & maximum working hours
1825 trade unions made legal (strikes still illegal)
Education Act – free elementary education for all children
1883 Fabian Society – socialist organization
Promoted gradual change through legal means, not violence
Worked for social reforms
1900 Socialists & Fabians formed new political party – Labour Party

6. Women’s Sufferage Women were divided on voting issue
Queen Victoria was against the idea
Emmeline Parkhurst – leading suffragist, she was radical
Huge public demonstrations
Turned to violent protests
Arrested, jailed, went on hunger strikes

7. “Irish Question” England conquered Ireland in 1100
1600’s colonized Ireland; took possession of best farmland
Irish resented absentee landlords – owned large estates but did not live on them
Irish peasants lived in poverty
Paid high rents to English landlord
Irish Catholics forced to pay tithes to Church of England

8. Irish Nationalists Campaigned for freedom & justice
Led by Daniel O’Connell, formed Irish Catholic League “To get Ireland for the Irish”
1829 British Parliament passed Catholic Emancipation Act, allowed Catholics to vote & hold political office

9. The Great Hunger - Potato Famine
¾’s of Irish farmland used for crops sent to England
Potato main source of food for most Irish people
1845 blight/disease destroyed potato crop; resulted in terrible famine
In 4 years 1 million Irish died of starvation or disease
About 2 million emigrated to U.S. & Canada

10. Irish Home Rule Struggle for Home Rule – local self-government
1850’s organized Fenian brotherhood – goal to liberate Ireland from British rule by force
1870’s moderate nationalists were led by Charles Parnell
Ended Irish tithe to Anglican Church
Prevented landlords from charging unfair rents
Protected rights of tenants to land they worked
1914 Parliament passed Home Rule Bill and Ireland became independent in 1921