Reform Act
The Reform Act of 1832 was a significant piece of legislation in Britain that aimed to reform the electoral system. It expanded the voter base by lowering property requirements, allowing more middle-class men to vote. Additionally, it restructured the representation in Parliament by redistributing seats, reducing the influence of "rotten boroughs" (areas with very few voters), and ensuring that growing industrial cities had representation. This act marked the beginning of broader electoral reforms, reflecting the changing social and economic landscape of Britain during the 19th century and laying the groundwork for future democratic advancements.
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The Reform Acts were a series of laws passed in the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries aimed at improving democracy. The most significant are the Reform Act of 1832, which expanded voting rights to more men, especially from the middle class, and addressed issues like unfair electoral districts. Subsequent acts in 1867, 1884, and 1918 continued this momentum, gradually enfranchising more citizens, including working-class men and, eventually, women. These reforms helped to shape a more representative political system and laid the groundwork for modern democratic practices in Britain.