Days of May
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Days of May, in the history of Great Britain, refers to the period of 9-15 May 1832. This was a period of rioting throughout the country in support of the Great Reform Act of 1832; it has since gained notoriety as one of the times when the UK came closest to revolution.
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[edit] Causes of the riots
On 9th May 1832, after the Great Reform Act had been vetoed by the House of Lords (see Westminster Parliament), the then Prime Minister, Earl Grey, handed in his resignation. He was replaced by the conservative Duke of Wellington, a Tory (see conservatism), who opposed the Reform Act. This provoked widespread protests.
[edit] Progress and events
Pro-reform organisations such as the Birmingham Political Union played a major part in the protests; their membership swelled, causing politicians to fear an armed riot. In other parts of the country, armed mobs attacked the homes of prominent members of the peerage who had opposed reform. Petitions were also presented from around the country.
[edit] Results
On 15 May, Wellington resigned and Grey was invited to return to form a government. The House of Lords subsequently agreed to the bill after William IV threatened to create dozens of Whig peers to overwhelm the opposition.
[edit] Sources
Evers and Welbourne, 2003, Britain 1783-1851: From Disaster to Triumph
