How Important Was The Role Of Pressure Groups In Britain Becoming More Democratic Between 1851 And 1928

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popular. Britain supported these moves for liberty in other countries so they could not say no to their own country which helped to influence increase in democracy. The First World War was also a large contribution to the increase in democracy, especially amongst women in 1918 with the Representation of the People's Act. Furthermore, significant events in other countries pressured the government into reform, such as the influence of the American Civil War on the British people's attitudes. Therefore, pressure groups did not play as significant a role as other factors which led to a democratic reform between 1851 and 1918.

Pressure groups were of limited significance to Britain becoming more democratic. Pressure for further reform intensified through the emergence of organisations such as the Reform League of 1864 which brought together working class radicals, middle class reformers, trade unionists and socialists. The defeat of the 1866 Reform Bill as a result of the ...

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that the Conservative politican who introduced the second reform act of 1867 did so because he wanted to increase his party's votes and not because of a deep belief in democracy.

The political situation had changed dramatically from 1830s to 1880s. Popular pressure came from the people, who had marched in large demonstrations organised by the Reform League and Reform Union. These organisations worked effectively to spread their influence among the upper-middle, middle and working class people of Britain. Reform campaigners now used their contacts within parliament to pursue there causes which pushed their ideas forward. Therefore Reform organisations had some influence on politics in ...

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