To What Extent Was the 1911 Parliament Act the Biggest Turning Point in the Development of Democracy? 1868-1945.
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To what extent was the 1911 Parliament Act the biggest turning point in the development of democracy? 1868-1945.
From 1868 to 1945, Great Britain experienced three major turning points in the development of democracy: the Education Act in 1870, the 1911 Parliament Act and the 1918 Representation of the People Act and by the end of the war in1945, Britain had transitioned into one of the world’s most democratic nation. Although the 1911 was a significant turning point in the development of democracy, it can be argued that the 1870 Education Act was the biggest turning point from 1868 to 1945.
The 1870 Education Act was the biggest turning point in the development of democracy from 1868-1945. After the passing of the Reform Act in 1867, the government realised they had to pass an education act to keep the newly enfranchised working and middle classes disciplined and well within the status quo. This viewpoint was symbolised with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Robert Lowe’s infamous quote, “We must educate our masters’ which signified the importance of educating the lower classes to maintain order within Britain’s democracy. As the first item of parliamentary legislation to deal with the provision of education in Britain, it was crucial in the development of democracy because it provided universal elementary education which meant that every person in Great Britain would have the same ability in reading and writing so that they can make better educated choices in elections rather than wasting their votes through bribery or poor decision making. The Education Act also set the precedent for the eventual inclusion of women in politics. With the introduction of the school boards, women were granted the ability to vote and stand as candidates for election, a privilege women would not receive until the 1918 Representation of the People Act. As the education act was passed forty-eight years prior, it is an important early milestone for the development of equal suffrage...
From 1868 to 1945, Great Britain experienced three major turning points in the development of democracy: the Education Act in 1870, the 1911 Parliament Act and the 1918 Representation of the People Act and by the end of the war in1945, Britain had transitioned into one of the world’s most democratic nation. Although the 1911 was a significant turning point in the development of democracy, it can be argued that the 1870 Education Act was the biggest turning point from 1868 to 1945.
The 1870 Education Act was the biggest turning point in the development of democracy from 1868-1945. After the passing of the Reform Act in 1867, the government realised they had to pass an education act to keep the newly enfranchised working and middle classes disciplined and well within the status quo. This viewpoint was symbolised with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Robert Lowe’s infamous quote, “We must educate our masters’ which signified the importance of educating the lower classes to maintain order within Britain’s democracy. As the first item of parliamentary legislation to deal with the provision of education in Britain, it was crucial in the development of democracy because it provided universal elementary education which meant that every person in Great Britain would have the same ability in reading and writing so that they can make better educated choices in elections rather than wasting their votes through bribery or poor decision making. The Education Act also set the precedent for the eventual inclusion of women in politics. With the introduction of the school boards, women were granted the ability to vote and stand as candidates for election, a privilege women would not receive until the 1918 Representation of the People Act. As the education act was passed forty-eight years prior, it is an important early milestone for the development of equal suffrage...