The Growing Crises in Reform and Protest (1828-1832)

The 1832 Reform Act

The 1832 Reform Act was a significant political event, lowering property requirements and thus extending voting rights, but it disappointed many due to its relatively limited expansion of the franchise.
The bill faced significant opposition, precipitating a political crisis. The Reform Crisis saw the resignation of the Tory government and widespread reform protests.
The eventual passing of the bill was precipitated by diverse factors - societal unrest, political negotiation, and the King’s reluctant agreement to create Whig peers.

Economic Instability

Economic distress marked this period, with bad harvests and a banking crisis leading to widespread hardship.
The so-called ‘Hungry Forties’ began with the failure of harvests in 1829 and 1830, leading to widespread food shortages and consequent social unrest, exemplified by the Swing Riots.
The economic hardship of this period was instrumental in encouraging popular support for reform and raised questions about the effectiveness of the existing political system.

Religious Dissent

1828 saw the repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts, which removed some barriers to non-Anglicans serving in public office, and was indicative of the growing influence of nonconformists.
The Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829 was a major step towards inclusion, allowing Catholics into Parliament, but also sparked fierce debate and further divisions within the Tory party.

Challenging Authority

Opposition to the government was exemplified by events such as the Battle of Bossenden Wood in 1838, seen as an attempted uprising against the state.
The influential Chartist movement began in 1838, with its People’s Charter demanding universal male suffrage, annual elections, and the abolition of the property qualification for MPs.
Protests, marches, and petitions by the working classes showed a widespread desire for change and a challenging of established power structures.

Continuation of Social Reform

The period saw the rise of co-operative movements which sought to offer workers better living standards and greater control over their work.
The work of campaigners like Elizabeth Fry and the passing of the Prison Act of 1823 marked the continuation of the push for humane reform in the treatment of prisoners.
The formation of Trades Unions and the demand for their legalisation showcased a growing recognition of collective, organised labour as a significant force in society.

Always remember that this period was characterised by immense societal and political shifts, and this turbulence reflects in the emergence of varied reform and protest movements. To understand the evolving attitudes towards governance, the advancement of political rights, and the shaping of social justice movements, these critical years provide valuable insights.