Septennial Act: Difference between revisions
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The Septennial Act, also known as the Septennial Act of George I, was passed by the Parliament of Great Britain in 1715. It substituted the prior Triennial Act of 1694 which had stipulated that general elections for the House of Commons should be held every three years. The act increased the maximum term of a Parliament from three to seven years, lowering the frequency of general elections. The Septennial Act had far-reaching consequences for the stability of the government, political parties, and the electoral system as a whole. | |||
The Septennial Act | |||
=== Historical Context === | === Historical Context === | ||
Following the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the Act of Settlement in 1701, a period of political unrest preceded the enactment of the Septennial Act. The Protestant succession to the British crown was cemented by these developments, but the country still had trouble setting up a reliable system of government. In light of this, the Septennial Act aimed to give Parliaments a more firm foundation for government by extending their terms. | Following the [[Glorious Revolution]] of 1688 and the [[Act of Settlement]] in 1701, a period of political unrest preceded the enactment of the Septennial Act. The Protestant succession to the British crown was cemented by these developments, but the country still had trouble setting up a reliable system of government. In light of this, the Septennial Act aimed to give Parliaments a more firm foundation for government by extending their terms. | ||
=== Outcome and Impact === | === Outcome and Impact === | ||
By reducing the frequency of general elections, the act curtailed the influence of popular sentiment on the composition of the government. This change increased the power of long-standing political parties, making it more challenging for young or marginalized parties to win support [which "young" or marginalised party were there? Usually, there were only Tories and Whigs]. Furthermore, longer parliamentary terms provided incumbents with greater security, reducing the necessity of constantly appealing to their constituents. The implications of the Septennial Act extended beyond the immediate political landscape. The establishment of a seven-year term as the norm laid the groundwork for subsequent electoral reforms. In 1911, the Parliament Act further reduced the maximum duration to five years, a figure that remains in effect today. Moreover, the Septennial Act set a precedent for electoral reform in other nations, such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where seven-year parliamentary terms were also adopted [these countries either had not been "discovered" or they did not have a Parliament of their own. When did the Act come into effect, then?]. | |||
=== Sources === | === Sources === | ||
O'Gorman, Frank. ''The Long Eighteenth Century: British Political and Social History 1688-1832'', 2nd edition. Bloomsbury Academic, 2016. | |||
Scott, Hamish, and Brendan Simms. ''Cultures of Power in Europe during the Long Eighteenth Century'', 1st Edition. Cambridge University Press, 2007. | |||
Latest revision as of 09:11, 5 July 2023
The Septennial Act, also known as the Septennial Act of George I, was passed by the Parliament of Great Britain in 1715. It substituted the prior Triennial Act of 1694 which had stipulated that general elections for the House of Commons should be held every three years. The act increased the maximum term of a Parliament from three to seven years, lowering the frequency of general elections. The Septennial Act had far-reaching consequences for the stability of the government, political parties, and the electoral system as a whole.
Historical Context
Following the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the Act of Settlement in 1701, a period of political unrest preceded the enactment of the Septennial Act. The Protestant succession to the British crown was cemented by these developments, but the country still had trouble setting up a reliable system of government. In light of this, the Septennial Act aimed to give Parliaments a more firm foundation for government by extending their terms.
Outcome and Impact
By reducing the frequency of general elections, the act curtailed the influence of popular sentiment on the composition of the government. This change increased the power of long-standing political parties, making it more challenging for young or marginalized parties to win support [which "young" or marginalised party were there? Usually, there were only Tories and Whigs]. Furthermore, longer parliamentary terms provided incumbents with greater security, reducing the necessity of constantly appealing to their constituents. The implications of the Septennial Act extended beyond the immediate political landscape. The establishment of a seven-year term as the norm laid the groundwork for subsequent electoral reforms. In 1911, the Parliament Act further reduced the maximum duration to five years, a figure that remains in effect today. Moreover, the Septennial Act set a precedent for electoral reform in other nations, such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where seven-year parliamentary terms were also adopted [these countries either had not been "discovered" or they did not have a Parliament of their own. When did the Act come into effect, then?].
Sources
O'Gorman, Frank. The Long Eighteenth Century: British Political and Social History 1688-1832, 2nd edition. Bloomsbury Academic, 2016.
Scott, Hamish, and Brendan Simms. Cultures of Power in Europe during the Long Eighteenth Century, 1st Edition. Cambridge University Press, 2007.