To What Extent Was The Great Reform Act Of 1832 Th

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To what extent was the Great Reform Act of 1832 the most important development in politics and government in the period 1780 – 1832? The Great Reform Act was indeed an incredibly important factor in political development, bringing a conclusion to the unrest and despair plaguing the streets at the time. However, modern learning often scrutinises the Act as, whilst known as a benchmark in launching the rise of modern democracy in England during the period, it didn’t actually make much change at all in politics at the core, no matter how much it may have seemed to at the time, and that was really the problem. It was introduced as a method of keeping the public at bay and giving them some of the change that they wanted, or at least enough to make them think that dramatic change had been done, when in fact everything was much the same as it was. This raises the question of whether the Reform Act rightly inherits the title, ‘Great’ at all. The Reform Act wasn’t the only factor in political development during this time however, other examples being the changes that had been happening to tax at the time, as well as uneasiness forming within the Tory party following Roman Catholic Emancipation, creating a major sense of distrust and betrayal between the Duke of Wellington and other Tory members. This heavy strain on the party was only to add to the troubles, as well as providing the public with a reason not to put their faith in the present government, also representing an opportunity or opposing Whigs to seize control of Parliament themselves. As you can see from these points alone, there are other things that prove themselves just as important as the Reform Act in bringing about political change. Likewise, the current condition of politics in this period (1780 – 1832) was becoming out-dated and intolerable for the public of the country to cope with. In
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