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The Reform Act of 1832 and the right to vote

Study note

As the industrial towns grew, the middle classes who lived and worked in them became wealthier and more influential, and they began to demand a greater say in how the country was run. The answer was the Reform Act of 1832, a landmark in the long story of widening the vote.

The 1832 Reform Act greatly increased the number of people allowed to vote and swept away the old pocket and rotten boroughs, those unfair seats from before. It also gave more parliamentary seats to the growing towns and cities. However, the right to vote was still tied to owning property, so most working-class men still could not vote, and no women could. Remember 1832 for abolishing the pocket and rotten boroughs while keeping a property qualification.

Memory tip: 1832 Reform Act: scraps pocket and rotten boroughs, more seats for towns, more (male) voters.

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Question 1 of 3

What did the Reform Act of 1832 abolish?

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Show all questions and answers for The Reform Act of 1832 and the right to vote(3 questions with explanations)

The Reform Act of 1832 and the right to vote: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. What did the Reform Act of 1832 abolish?

    • The House of Lords
    • The slave trade
    • The old pocket and rotten boroughs
    • The monarchy

    Correct answer: The old pocket and rotten boroughs

    The 1832 Reform Act abolished the old pocket and rotten boroughs.

  2. 2. After the Reform Act of 1832, voting was still based on what?

    • Membership of a church
    • Age alone
    • Ownership of property
    • Military service

    Correct answer: Ownership of property

    Voting remained based on property ownership, so working-class men could not vote.

  3. 3. The Reform Act of 1832 gave more parliamentary seats to towns and cities.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. It shifted political power towards the growing towns and cities.

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