‘Their Only Liberal Measures Were in Trade and Finance’. How Far Do You Agree

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This statement is mostly false. Despite having liberal measures within trade and finance policies, the Tory government introduced a series of reforms that had a liberal outlook on them. By 1820, juries were becoming more reluctant to condemn criminals for petty crimes to death. Within Peel’s reforms, he abolished 180 capital offences within 1823 to 1828. His prison reforms also saw a new liberal approach. Local rate-paid goals were set up in every major town and prisons were to be inspected by magistrates how would report to the home office. Women were guarded by female gardens and prison discipline, medical and educational facilities were standardised in prisons. This is more liberal because instead of previous systems of just punishing criminals, criminals were now introduced reform to create them worthy of living in society again and emancipating them. However, many people were still transported and some crimes remained capital offences such as forgery and housebreaking which can show that it was not entirely a liberal change. It is true that the Tory’s economic policies had liberal measures. Reduction of duties was introduced which saw lower tariffs on imported goods increasing profits and employment. The 50% tariff charge was decreased to 20%. The Reciprocity of Duties Act was released in 1823 allowed inter-governmental negotiations which saw an increase in trade. Finally, The Navigation Acts was created to allow non-British ships to carry goods into Britain which previously was only accepted by British ships. This is a useful liberal policy as charges on port facilities were reduced, colonial trade restrictions were removed and overall these policies allowed an increase in freer flow of trade to stimulate economic prosperity. However, it is argued that the Tories were just reacting to the current economic conditions around Europe. Being a major power,
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