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GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY DEPARTMENT. IES FRAY PEDRO DE URBINA

HISTORY OF THE UNITED KINGDOM DURING THE

NINETEENTH CENTURY

The UK has some peculiarities that distinguish it from other major European powers:

1. The United Kingdom didnt suffer political upheavals and revolutions of otherEuropean countries. Since the revolution of 1688 it was imposed a system ofparliamentary monarchy ("The king reigns but does not govern") and the action ofmultiple governments was characterized by gradually introducing legal and institutionalreforms as they were evolving social and economic situations. There were moments ofgrave social and political tensions but never led to revolutions by the pragmatism ofgovernments.

2. From the eighteenth century the UK was the advocate of the geostrategic theory ofcontinental balance and defended the approach of "splendid isolation": not to beinvolved in continental affairs except when they jeopardize the continental balance orattack British specific interests.

3. The development of the industrial revolution and the formation of a great empireoutside Europe. Throughout the eighteenth century the UK will be building the bases ofimperialism: Conquest of Canada, expanding its domain in India, conquest of SouthAfrica, the Mediterranean domain (Gibraltar. Malta, Cyprus...). The need of cheap rawmaterials, to build markets abroad for the products of its industrial revolution, the needto dominate territory in which to invest its surplus capital marked an aggressive foreignpolicy in America (supporting the independences processes), Africa and Asia. The

rapid population growth allowed a migration flow that first went to the colonies of NorthAmerica's east coast and after independence from the United States, to the rest of hisempire. While other European countries were involved in political and social problems,the United Kingdom got the control of the seas and built an orderly empire.

With George III (1760-1820) the royal power suffered a major setback because theindependence of the United States. Parliament captured the power of appointment tosenior posts. They appeared two political groups that will represent the interests of richpeople. The large landowners who had the support of the Anglican clergy were calledTories (Conservatives), while the Whigs (Liberals) stood in representatives of thecommercial and urban bourgeoisie.

The Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger directed politics between 1783 and 1806.During that time, industrial revolution developed. Ireland lost its Parliament and wasannexed to the United Kingdom. There were the first conflicts between the bourgeoisieand industrial proletariat: Luddite movement (workers destroyed machines).

With George IV (1820-30) it was an industrial crisis following the end of the Napoleonicwars; and as a consequence, social conflicts. Tory policies of agricultural protectionismand laws against freedom of expression and demonstration gave rise to social protestsin the Manchester area. Two young Tory politicians, Palmerston and Peel, initiatedreforms: legalization of Trade Unions, the criminal law humanized (habeas corpus andlimits to the power of the Government) and the rights of association and assembly were

guaranteed. All laws that limited political rights of Catholics were abolished and theirpublic actions were allowed.

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With William IV (1830-1837) they were first introduced electoral reforms: Seats in theCommons (Parliament) were assigned giving priority to the urban districts, against ruralones dominated by landowners. In 1831 the electoral census was enlarged andmembers of the urban middle classes could vote and be voted. In 1833 laws began toprohibit working days over 8 hours for minors and slavery was abolished.

Victoria's reign (1837-1901) is the zenith of British power. The permanent criticism ofthe living conditions of the workers will be the source of the Chartist movement(People's Charter), asking for the secret universal suffrage, parliamentary immunity,annual elections, equal electoral districts. Although in 1838 these demands wererejected in Parliament, it will emerge a strong labor policy group within the BritishParliament. In 1842 it was the first general strike in the United Kingdom. Governmentsresponded by abolishing the protectionist agricultural laws and imposing free trade.They implanted a 10-hour workday. The House of Commons won control on the statebudget.

The most progressive liberal politicians created the Labour Representation League,germ of the future Labour Party and the Fabian Society (socialist ideology).Subsequently voting will be extended to the middle class, farmers and skilled workers.