Britain between 1846-1867

Lord John Russell becomes PM for the first time

The public works legislation phases out

Aided by John Fielden in its passage, this Factory Act regulates 10 hour days

The Public Health Act is passed, due to a large cholera outbreak (short-term) as well as Chadwick and Shaftesbury's work

Russell's government establish a Board of Health, as part of public health reform

A rising in Ireland occurs, caused by Young Ireland

Yet another Chartist petition fails, emphasising parliamentary reluctance to extend the franchise

The Navigation Acts are repealed

The phrase 'High Farming' is coined

The Irish Potato Famine comes to an end

This decade sparks a revival in trade unionism

The Conservative party abandon protection in order to attract industry and commerce

William Gladstone's tariff reforms between these two decades help stimulate Free Trade

The National Public Schools' Association and the National Education League champion a permissive education act

By this year, the process of enclosure is virtually complete

This Factory Act closes a loophole in the previous 10 hour act, sanctioning a 60-hour week for 18-18 year olds

The Bessemer process is created, a cheap and efficient way of making steel

Sir Robert Peel dies, aged 62. He is said to have fallen from, and been stumbled on top of, by his horse, consequently breaking his collarbone and fatally rupturing his subclavian vessels.

The Great Exhibition takes place at the Crystal Palace

Lord John Russell's first ministry comes to an end, replaced by Lord Derby

The Whig-Peelite coalition begins its three-year rule

The Earl of Aberdeen becomes PM, replacing Derby

The Smallpox Act makes smallpox vaccinations compulsory, as germ theory proves disease prevention possible

Lord Palmerston becomes PM, replacing Aberdeen

The Radicals, Whigs and Peelites combine as part of the Liberal Party

The Great Stink of this year begins, motivating Parliament's decision to accept Joseph Bazalgette's proposal for sewers

Derby returns to cabinet for his second time as PM

The General Health Board is dissolved

Fenianism begins in Ireland

The Irish Republic Brotherhood is set up in Ireland

Lord Palmerston begins his second administration, replacing Derby as PM

The Whig-Peelite and Liberal coalition rules for the next 6 years

'Self-Help' is published

Charles Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species' is published. This leads to a substantial decline in religion

Radical MP John Bright begins to increase his influence on Gladstone

Demographic changes pushes reform onto the political agenda

The modern Conservative Party accepts industrial capitalism

The real wages of farm labourers begin rise

Gladstone introduces Post Office banks

Pasteur releases his Germ Theory, arguing that microorganisms cause disease, not vice versa

The Cooperative Wholesale Society is set up

The first London Underground line opens

Giuseppe Garibaldi, hero of the Italian unification movement, visits London to spur forward interest in British political reform

The Reform Union is formed

The Reform League is set up

Lord John Russell becomes PM for the second time

The Whigs, Peelites, Liberals and Radicals become the ruling coalition

Bazalgette's sewer system is first opened in London

Palmerston dies in Arkansas, aged 80

Leading union men in the London Trades Council meet and start a campaign for reform

Lord Derby returns to office, his third time as PM

Upon his retirement, Russell hands over leadership of the Liberal Party to Gladstone

Disraeli becomes leader of the Conservatives in the commons

This Reform Bill proposes a relaxation of the voting qualification to give skilled workers and smallholders the vote

A group of Liberals throw out this proposed Reform Bill, claiming that reform would give the vote to the 'ignorant'

In retaliation to parliament's rejection of Gladstone's Reform Bill, the Reform League organise demonstrations nationwide

A violent outbreak near Hyde Park after after a Reform League meeting is prevented, although causes significant alarm

The Treasury attempts to boost house-building, offering loans to local authorities

Thomas Kelly organises the Fenian Rising, leading to disturbances across England and Ireland

The second massive Reform League meeting takes place in London

This Reform Act extends the franchise. A mix of pragmatism and political strategy, it gives skilled workers the vote

Lancaster is disenfranchised, having spent £14,000 to bribe its 1400 voters in a general election

Lord Derby retires, leaving Benjamin Disraeli as PM