3.4.12 The development of democracy and voting rights

Throughout the 19th century, the right to vote was gradually extended. Before the Reform Act of 1832, only a small number of wealthy men could vote. The 1832 Act gave the vote to more middle-class men. The 1867 Act extended it to many working-class men in towns. The 1884 Act gave the vote to most men in the countryside. However, women and the poorest men were still excluded.

Other important democratic reforms included the introduction of the secret ballot in 1872, which meant people could vote without others knowing their choice. The Chartist movement of the 1830s and 1840s campaigned for democratic reforms including votes for all men, secret ballots, and equal-sized constituencies. Although the Chartists were not immediately successful, most of their demands were eventually met.