Second Reform Act
Poet involved
What happened
The Second Reform Act, passed in 1867, significantly expanded voting rights in England and Wales by enfranchising many urban working-class men. This legislative change nearly doubled the electorate, reflecting the growing demand for political representation among the working classes. The Act marked a crucial step towards a more democratic society and set the stage for further electoral reforms in the years to come.
Literary impact
The Second Reform Act of 1867 not only expanded the electorate but also inspired poets like Alfred Lord Tennyson and Elizabeth Barrett Browning to explore themes of social justice and class struggle in their works. This period saw poetry becoming a vehicle for expressing the aspirations of the working class and critiquing the status quo.
Source: Wikipedia
