How did reforms affect the social and political status of Britain?

Political reforms replaced the political power of the aristocratic system with a more democratized system that empowered the middle and working class through the empowerment of urban areas. and by 1870 it was the most powerful country in the world. Due to the severe problem created by Industrial Revolution, Britain became the most urbanized country One great reform is the Reform Act o 1832 that provided the middle rising class with more political power in urban areas, and lessening representation areas of England.

Some political reforms were;

-The 1832 reform act that gave vote to all middle class.

-The 1867 Reform Act which gave vote to male adult householder living in towns. In effect the reform gave vote to working classes in towns, around 1,500,000 people were given vote.

-The 1884 Reform Act gave vote to poor farmers and labourors which greatly reorganized electoral areas where population moved from the countryside to towns.

-The parliamentary act of 1911 that ended the veto of the House of Lords.

Social Reforms were introduced in 1906 when a liberal government was elected by a massive majority. Previously, a 30 % estimate of the population lived on the edge of starvation. Inequalities in wealth and income were also great where a middle class lived on 10 Pounds while a working class lived on 18 shillings a week. And, when the Boer War took place the medical condition of the working class were poor thus need for improvement or the nations health.

Social Reform introduced include:

-In 1907 medical tests were conducted for school students and free treatment to be provided.

-1906 - Workers were compensated for injuries at work.

-1908 - A five shillings pension was introduced for those over 70 years.

-1911-A National Insurance Act was introduced to provide workers with insurance in times of sickness.