5. Newspaper StampNewspaper Stamp
Duty abolished,Duty abolished, 18551855
The Newspaper Stamp
Act abolished Stamp Duty
(tax).
This made newspapers
cheaper to make and sell,
allowing more people to
buy them.
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6. Property QualificationProperty Qualification
for Members offor Members of
Parliament Act,Parliament Act, 18581858
Before 1858 it was only
possible to be an MP if you
were a landowner,
receiving an income from
your land.
This was scrapped in 1858.
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7. Second Reform Act,Second Reform Act, 18671867
This gave the vote to some
members of the working class
for the first time.
1/3 of all men in the UK could
now vote (men who owned
property, paid £10+ per year in
rent, reduced qualifications in
the countryside).
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8. Ballot Act,Ballot Act, 18721872
Introduced secret votes
in the United Kingdom.
People could now vote
without anyone else
knowing who they had
given their support to.
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9. Compulsory PrimaryCompulsory Primary
Education,Education, 18721872
All children in Scotland
aged 5-13 had to receive
a primary level education
(introduced in 1870
across the UK).
Improved overall level of
education in the UK.
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10. Corrupt and IllegalCorrupt and Illegal
Practices Act,Practices Act, 18831883
Introduced spending limits in
elections and described what
money could be spent on.
Limit was £710 per 2000
voters and £40 for each
additional 1000 voters;
banned spending on food,
alcohol, etc.
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11. Third Reform Act,Third Reform Act, 18841884
Further extended voting
rights to working classes;
2/3 of all men could now
vote.
Men in towns and
countryside could vote on
equal basis; all make
homeowners and those
paying £10+ per year in rent.
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12. Redistribution ofRedistribution of
Seats Act,Seats Act, 18851885
Took seats away from
certain countryside
areas; gave more seats
to towns and cities.
Areas such as Scotland
and north of England
gained more MPs.
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13. Elections CorruptElections Corrupt
Practices Act,Practices Act, 18851885
Gave all workers the right
to time off to go and vote
in elections.
Had to be on equal basis;
not just to supporters of
certain parties or
candidates.
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15. Parliament Act,Parliament Act,
19111911
Paid MPs for the first
time (£400 per year).
Limited power of House
of Lords (could only
delay laws for up to two
years). Couldn't stop
‘money bills’.
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16. Representation of theRepresentation of the
People Act,People Act, 19181918
Gave vote to all men over the
age of 21.
Gave some women (40%) the
vote for the first time; women
30+ who met certain
qualifications e.g. property
owner
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17. Qualification ofQualification of
Women Act,Women Act, 19181918
Women aged 21+ were
now allowed to stand for
election.
This meant that some
women were old enough
to stand for election –
but not to vote in the
election.
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18. Equal FranchiseEqual Franchise
Act,Act, 19281928
This gave vote to all
women age 21+,
regardless of
background.
Men and vote now had
the vote on an equal
basis for the first time.
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