The Glorious Revolution of 1688-89 was a significant turning point in British history, marking the establishment of constitutional monarchy and the supremacy of Parliament. This event led to the creation of the Bill of Rights, which laid down key principles that would shape the governance of the country. Among these principles were that the Parliament should be freely elected, meet frequently, and have freedom of expression. Additionally, it specified that no Catholic or person married to a Catholic could become the monarch. The subsequent years saw a series of reforms aimed at expanding the electorate and modifying the composition of Parliament.
The Establishment of Parliamentary Supremacy and Constitutional Monarchy
The Glorious Revolution firmly established the supremacy of the British Parliament and created a constitutional monarchy in England. This meant that the monarch’s powers were limited by law and that Parliament held significant authority in legislating and shaping the country’s policies. The Bill of Rights was a cornerstone in this transformation, ensuring that the Parliament was central to the political system and that its members could carry out their duties without undue interference.
Reforms in Parliamentary Composition and Franchise
Following the establishment of its supremacy, Parliament embarked on a journey of self-reform. A series of acts were passed to gradually extend voting rights to broader segments of society. The Parliamentary Reform Act of 1832 was a landmark piece of legislation that expanded the franchise to tenant farmers in counties and the middle classes in towns. This act was crucial in reducing the influence of the aristocracy and giving a voice to a larger portion of the population.
The expansion of the electorate continued with the Parliamentary Reform Act of 1867, which enfranchised artisans and urban workers who owned their homes. This further democratized the voting process and acknowledged the growing significance of the working class in British society.
The third major reform came with the Parliamentary Reform Act of 1884, which equalized the franchise for boroughs and counties by including agricultural laborers. This move integrated the rural workforce into the electoral system, ensuring that their interests were represented in Parliament.
Extension of Franchise to Women
Despite the progress made with previous reforms, it was not until the early 20th century that women began to receive voting rights. The fourth Parliamentary Reform Act of 1918 was a groundbreaking law that granted nearly universal suffrage to men and introduced women’s suffrage, albeit not on a universal basis. This act recognized the contributions of women, particularly their efforts during World War I, and set the stage for future advancements towards complete adult suffrage.
Questions for UPSC
1. How did the Glorious Revolution contribute to the concept of a constitutional monarchy in England, and what were its long-term implications for the British political system?
2. What were the social and economic factors that influenced the gradual extension of the franchise in the 19th century?
3. In what ways did the Parliamentary Reform Acts of 1832, 1867, and 1884 reflect the changing demographics and power structures within British society at the time?