Who was allowed to vote in the period 1800 – 1832?

Introduction: Voting Rights in the 19th Century

The 19th century was marked by significant changes in voting rights in the United Kingdom. During this time, the franchise was extended to a wider range of people, but it was still limited to certain groups based on property ownership, religion, and gender. In this article, we will explore who was allowed to vote in the period 1800-1832, and how the laws governing voting rights evolved during this time.

The 1800 Election: Who Could Vote?

At the beginning of the 19th century, the right to vote was limited to a small percentage of the population. Only male property owners who were 21 years of age or older were allowed to vote. This meant that most working-class men, as well as women, were excluded from the voting process. In the 1800 general election, only around 3% of the adult population of England and Wales was eligible to vote.

The Impact of the 1801 Act of Union

The 1801 Act of Union between Great Britain and Ireland had a significant impact on voting rights. It extended the franchise to Irish property owners, but only those who owned land worth at least £2 per year. This meant that the majority of Irish people were still excluded from the voting process. The Act also created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, which had a single parliament and a single system of voting.

The 1815 Corn Laws and Voting Restrictions

The 1815 Corn Laws placed restrictions on the importation of foreign grain, which led to higher prices for bread and other staples. This had a significant impact on the working classes, who were already struggling to make ends meet. The government responded to protests by passing laws that restricted the right to vote even further. In 1819, the Peterloo Massacre occurred in Manchester when a peaceful protest for voting rights was violently dispersed by the authorities.

The 1829 Catholic Emancipation Act and Voting

The 1829 Catholic Emancipation Act allowed Catholics to hold public office and serve in parliament for the first time in over 200 years. This meant that Catholic property owners were now eligible to vote, but only if they met the property qualifications. The Act did not extend the franchise to the majority of Catholics, who were working-class and did not own property.

The Reform Act of 1832: What Changed?

The Reform Act of 1832 was a major milestone in the expansion of voting rights. It extended the franchise to male property owners in urban areas who paid rent of at least £10 per year, as well as to male owners of agricultural land who had a rental value of at least £50 per year. This meant that the electorate increased from around 435,000 to almost 650,000. The Act also abolished some of the rotten boroughs, which were constituencies with very few voters, and redistributed their seats to more populous areas.

Who Was Excluded from the 1832 Reform Act?

Despite the Reform Act of 1832, the majority of working-class men and all women were still excluded from the voting process. The property qualifications meant that many people, especially those who lived in rural areas, were still unable to vote. The Act also did not extend the franchise to colonies or to British citizens living abroad.

The Property Qualification and Voting Rights

The property qualification was a key factor in determining who was allowed to vote in the 19th century. It meant that only those who owned or rented property were eligible to vote, which excluded the majority of the population. The property qualification was seen as a way of ensuring that only those who had a stake in society had a say in how it was governed.

Women and the Right to Vote in the 19th Century

Women were excluded from the right to vote in the 19th century, despite their efforts to campaign for suffrage. The first women’s suffrage societies were established in the 1860s, but it was not until the 20th century that women were granted the right to vote. The suffrage movement played a significant role in expanding the franchise and advocating for women’s rights.

The Role of Chartism in Expanding Franchise

Chartism was a working-class movement that emerged in the 1830s and 1840s, advocating for political reform and the extension of voting rights. The Chartists called for universal suffrage, the secret ballot, and equal electoral districts. Although their demands were not met in their lifetime, Chartism played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of the 19th century.

Conclusion: Evolving Voting Rights in the 19th Century

The 19th century was marked by significant changes in voting rights, with the franchise expanding to a wider range of people. However, the property qualification and other restrictions meant that the majority of the population was still excluded from the voting process. The suffrage movement and Chartism played a significant role in advocating for political reform and expanding the franchise, paving the way for the universal suffrage that we enjoy today.

References: Sources on Voting Rights in the 1800s

1. “The Extension of the Franchise, 1832-1885” by R. B. McCallum
2. “Britain 1815-1851” by Eric J. Evans
3. “The Chartists” by Dorothy Thompson
4. “The History of the Vote in Britain” by Robert Saunders
5. “The Suffragettes: The Women’s Social and Political Union, 1903-1918” by Sylvia Pankhurst.