Syllabus

• Week 1

  Revolution

  • Introduction

    In this activity we will introduce this week's topics, themes and key questions.

  • Revolutions

    British history in the nineteenth century was shaped by three revolutionary moments in the last quarter of the eighteenth century. In this activity we explore the shadows cast by events in America, France and Ireland.

  • Terror

    In this activity we explore the British response to the revolutionary Terror occurring in France and how terror of this occurring in Britain impacted upon politics and political culture.

  • Industry and Agriculture

    While political revolutions overseas convulsed British politics, slower but by no means less revolutionary changes to industry and agriculture were having a profound effect on British society.

  • Rotten Boroughs

    In this activity we examine how well (or not) prepared Parliament was to meet the challenges of political, social, economic and cultural change at the beginning of the nineteenth century.

  • Peterloo

    The Peterloo Massacre was a seminal event in Britain's democratic history. In this step we examine how a peaceful reform meeting turned into a massacre and what its consequences were for the people and Parliament.

  • Conclusion

    In this activity we review and reflect on what we have learnt this week and look ahead to next week’s topics, themes and questions.

• Week 2

  Reform

  • Introduction

    In this activity we will introduce this week's topics, themes and key questions.

  • Liberal Tories

    Who were the 'Liberal' Tories, is this label accurate and what reform measures was it based upon?

  • The Great Reform Act

    The most significant measure of reform in the first half of the nineteenth century or a cynical alliance of the 'Shopocrats' and 'Whigocrats'? You decide.

  • The Whigs

    What was the Whig attitude to reform and what were some of their most significant achievements?

  • Chartism

    Who were the Chartists, what were their tactics and why did they fail?

  • Corn and the Conservatives

    How did a debate about Corn bring down a government? What was at stake?

  • Conclusion

    In this activity we review and reflect on what we have learnt this week and look ahead to next week’s topics, themes and questions.

• Week 3

  Workers

  • Introduction

    In this activity we will introduce this week's topics, themes and key questions.

  • A New View of Society

    In this activity we will explore early developments in trade unionism after the repeal of the Combination Acts, focusing especially on Robert Owen and early attempts to form national unions.

  • The 'New Unionism'

    While trade unions had achieved full legal recognition by 1876, most represented skilled workers. In this activity we explore the 'New Unionism' that emerged among and for unskilled workers from the 1880s onward.

  • State Intervention

    How did the State intervene to improve the lives and livelihoods of workers in the nineteenth century? What brought these interventions about and how effective were they?

  • Socialism in Britain

    What forms did Socialist thought and organisation take in Britain?

  • From Litigation to Legislation

    How did a series of court cases convince the labour movement they needed a Labour Party?

  • Conclusion

    In this activity we review and reflect on what we have learnt this week and look ahead to next week’s topics, themes and questions.

• Week 4

  Voters

  • Introduction

    In this activity we will introduce this week's topics, themes and key questions.

  • Gladstone, Disraeli and the Second Reform Act

    Why brought about the reopening of the electoral question in the 1860s?

  • Tory Democracy and New Liberalism

    How did the two main parties, the Liberals and Conservatives, adapt to appeal to the larger electorate created by the Second Reform Act?

  • Ireland: Province or Nation?

    What to do when voters in one part of the United Kingdom wanted their laws decided somewhere other than Westminster?

  • The Revolt of Women

    How did women confront and challenge their second class status as citizens in the nineteenth century?

  • An Ungovernable Society?

    To what extent was the United Kingdom becoming ungovernable in the years up to the First World War?

  • Conclusion

    In this activity we review and reflect on what we have learnt this week and look ahead to next week’s topics, themes and questions.

Who will you learn with?