Changes

'''Social Reform'''

'''Social Reform'''

Labor unions arose in the late 1800s, as John Stuart Mill suggested, in order to combat a perceived exploitation of workers.  “Collective bargaining” between workers (the “collective” side) and their opponents, the owners, became popular and continues to exist today.  Collective bargaining usually works like this:  the workers demand a raise in their salaries, or the workers will go on strike.  It was collective bargaining in the late 1900s that helped enable American baseball players to increase their salaries to astronomical levels.  Devastating strikes by auto workers in Detroit in the 1970s, demanding higher wages, had a huge effect on the competitiveness of the auto industry, and it is going bankrupt today.

Labor unions arose in the late 1800s, as John Stuart Mill suggested, in order to combat a perceived exploitation of workers.  “Collective bargaining” between workers (the “collective” side) and their opponents, the owners, became popular and continues to exist today.  Collective bargaining usually works like this:  the workers demand a raise in their salaries, or the workers will go on strike.  Collective bargaining by auto workers in Detroit, demanding higher wages, had a crippling effect on the auto industry.

The abolition movement, which was motivated mostly by Christianity rather than by non-Christian reform movements, wiped out slavery and slave trade in much of the world by 1888.   

The abolition movement, which was motivated mostly by Christianity, wiped out slavery and slave trade in much of the world by 1888.   

Other social reforms in the late 1800s included “free” public education in Western Europe, Japan and the United States (you might disagree whether public schools qualify as a “reform”); rehabilitation for prisoners; and child labor laws to control working conditions for children.   

Other social reforms in the late 1800s included “free” public education in Western Europe, Japan and the United States (some might dispute the claim that public schools qualify as a “reform”); rehabilitation for prisoners; and child labor laws to control working conditions for children.   

In 1848, women suffragettes (supporters of the right to vote for women) met in Seneca Falls, New York, where they issued their own version of the Declaration of Independence called the “Declaration of Sentiments.”  Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott of the United States and the British Emmeline Pankhurst protested for suffrage.  Britain and the United States gave the right to vote to all women shortly after World War I.

In 1848, women suffragettes (supporters of the right to vote for women) met in Seneca Falls, New York, where they issued their own version of the Declaration of Independence called the “Declaration of Sentiments.”  Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott of the United States and the British Emmeline Pankhurst protested for suffrage.  Britain and the United States gave the right to vote to all women shortly after World War I.

'''Growth in Democracy'''

'''Growth in Democracy'''

The industrial revolution led to the growth of cities, which in turn led to demands for greater amounts of democracy or “suffrage” (rights to vote).  In England the right to vote was limited to those who owned property until Parliament reduced these restrictions with the Reform Bill of 1832.  That reform also eliminated “rotten boroughs,” in which relatively few residents had the power to elect a representative with the same vote as much bigger districts.  Parliament then redistricted the cities to reflect their growing populations.

The industrial revolution led to the growth of cities, which in turn led to demands for greater amounts of democracy or “suffrage” (rights to vote).  In England the right to vote was limited to those who owned property until Parliament reduced these restrictions with the Reform Bill of 1832.  That reform also eliminated “rotten boroughs,” in which relatively few residents had the power to elect a representative with the same vote as much bigger districts.  The British Parliament then redistricted the cities to reflect their growing populations.

By 1838 the Chartist movement demanded that Parliament extend suffrage to all men based on the secret ballot.  The Chartist movement also sought annual elections for Parliament, salaries for its members (so that the middle class could afford to serve), and the elimination of property requirements as a condition for belonging to Parliament.  But Parliament did not enact these reforms until 1900.

By 1838 the Chartist movement demanded that Parliament extend suffrage to all men based on the secret ballot.  The Chartist movement also sought annual elections for Parliament, salaries for its members (so that the middle class could afford to serve), and the elimination of property requirements as a condition for belonging to Parliament.  But Parliament did not enact these reforms until 1900.

Gradually the power of the monarchy in England was reduced to that of a figurehead, which is all it is today.  Parliament increased in power, and much of that power went to the elected lower house (the House of Commons) rather than the upper, unelected House of Lords.

Gradually the power of the monarchy in England was reduced to that of a figurehead, which is all it is today.  The power of the British Parliament increased, and much of that power went to the elected lower house (the House of Commons) rather than the upper, unelected House of Lords.

Democracy came much later to other European countries.  The great potato famine of the 1840s killed many in Ireland and caused many more to immigrate to the United States.  But Ireland was ruled by Britain then, and the Irish did not obtain any substantial level of self-government until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922.  Many in Ireland and many Americans of Irish descent blame British leaders for allowing that horrific potato famine to happen, and without home rule there was little the Irish people could do to stop it.

Democracy came much later to other European countries.  The great potato famine of the 1840s killed many in Ireland and caused many more to immigrate to the United States.  But Ireland was ruled by Britain then, and the Irish did not obtain any substantial level of self-government until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922.  Many in Ireland and many Americans of Irish descent blame British leaders for allowing that horrific potato famine to happen, and without home rule there was little the Irish people could do to stop it.