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Reform Act

Definition

The Reform Act refers to a series of laws passed in the United Kingdom during the 19th century that aimed to reform and expand suffrage rights. These acts granted voting rights to a larger portion of the population, particularly working-class males.

Analogy

Imagine you're at a pizza party where only a few people are allowed to eat pizza. The host then decides to pass a "Reform Act" that allows more people, especially those who haven't had pizza before, to enjoy it too.

Related terms

Electoral Reform: This term refers to changes made to electoral systems or laws with the aim of improving representation and fairness in elections.

Universal Suffrage: Universal suffrage means that all adult citizens have the right to vote, regardless of their social status or gender.

Chartist Movement: The Chartist Movement was a working-class movement in Britain during the mid-19th century that advocated for political reforms, including universal male suffrage and fairer representation.