Documents on the Nineteenth Century United Kingdom Constitution

This four-volume collection presents a range of documents related to aspects of the constitutional history of the United Kingdom (UK), covering the ‘long’ nineteenth century. It examines material dating from the period of the American and French revolutions through to the advent of an equal franchise for men and women.

During the long nineteenth century, the country passed through immense socio-economic changes. It underwent internal strains involving its multinational composition. It became the dominant global power, then saw that position become subject to various challenges. These tendencies helped generate sustained and wide-ranging controversy about how the country should govern itself. They also helped produce a series of important changes in the nature of the constitution. At the outset of the long nineteenth century, only a tiny proportion of the population were allowed to vote; and an hereditary monarch remained an active political figure. By the end, democratic ideas and practices had achieved ascendancy. Yet in other ways, the constitution retained some long-established characteristics.

The purpose of these volumes is to support research into and understanding of these tendencies. They will enable readers to approach concepts such as democracy and constitutional change from a critical standpoint, evaluating existing interpretations and encouraging the consideration of possible different conclusions. The collection will encourage consideration of matters such as paths that were not taken, what resistance there was to change, how particular outcomes came about, and the compromises involved. It will also facilitate comparison between constitutional ideals and realities.