This option allows students to study change, continuity, cause and consequence in this period through the following key questions:
- How was Britain governed and how did democracy and political organisations change and develop?
- What pressures did governments face and how did they respond to these?
- How and with what results did the economy develop and change?
- How and with what results did society and social policy develop?
- How important were ideas and ideology?
- How important was the role of individuals and groups and how were they affected by developments?
The Impact of Industrialisation: Britain, c1783–1832
Pressure for change, c1783–1812
- The British political system in 1783: government and representation; national and local democracy; Whigs and Tories
- Government: Pitt the Younger as Prime Minister and his successors; Pitt's relationship with the King; the 1784 election; reform of finance, administration and trade
- Economic developments: industrialisation; the growth of cotton and other industries; changes in power; the condition of agriculture
- Social developments: the middle class; the industrial workforce; landowners; agricultural labourers and the poor; working conditions; standards of living; the Combination Acts
- Pressures on government: the political influence of the French Revolution; Irish rebellion and union; radicalism and opposition; party splits; demands for parliamentary reform
- Pressures on government: the political, economic and social impact of war; the condition of Britain by 1812
Government and a changing society, 1812–1832
- Government: Lord Liverpool; the Corn Laws and other legislation; attitudes to reform and repression; the economy; the repeal of the Combination Acts
- Government: Canning, Goderich and Wellington; legislation including the repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts; the metropolitan police force; O’Connell and Catholic Emancipation
- Economic developments: continuing industrialisation and developments in key industries; agricultural change; economic policies and free trade
- Social developments: the effects of industrialisation; standards of living and working class discontent
- Pressures for change: Luddism and radical agitation; the anti-slavery movement; Methodism; early socialism and the ideas of Robert Owen
- Greater democracy: the election of the Whigs; pressure for parliamentary reform; the Great Reform Act and its impact; the state of Britain politically, economically and socially by 1832