Account for the extension of the franchise from 1850 to 1918

... Account for the extension of the franchise from 1850 to 1918 There were many reasons why the franchise was extended between 1850 and 1918. These reasons included avoiding possible revolution, trying to win advantages for a particular party [political pragmatism/expediency], doing what was politically useful at the time, the effect of the Great War, which acted as a catalyst and sped up change and changing attitudes towards the lower classes. In 1832 McCauley described the reform of that year as "admitting those it was safe to admit" and that theme runs through the extensions of the franchise in 1867, 1884 and 1918. Probably the most important reason was the effects of industrial revolution, which changed where people lived, how they worked and how they felt about their position in society. Finally another important reason why the franchise was extended was the change in political ideology from believing the right to vote

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