welfare state active recall

Why did Northern Ireland experience economic optimism after World War II?

The UK experienced a temporary post-war economic boom and traditional industries initially recovered.

How much damage did the Belfast Blitz cause?

Approximately 50,000 homes were destroyed during the Belfast Blitz of April-May 1941.

Why did Churchill support welfare reform in Northern Ireland?

To reward Northern Ireland's wartime loyalty and strengthen its place within the UK.

What did the Beveridge Report promise?

A system of social insurance for all citizens.

What does 'cradle-to-grave welfare' mean?

State support throughout every stage of a person's life.

How do historians assess Brookeborough's leadership overall?

He maintained political stability but failed to modernise Northern Ireland.

Why was the Beveridge Report published in 1942?

Britain wanted to avoid the economic collapse and poverty that followed World War I.

Who wrote the Beveridge Report?

William Beveridge.

What was the central aim of the Beveridge Report?

To provide social insurance for all British citizens.

What phrase became associated with the Beveridge Report?

'Cradle-to-grave' welfare.

Which party won the 1945 British General Election?

The Labour Party.

Who became Prime Minister in 1945?

Clement Attlee.

What were Attlee's main welfare priorities?

Education, healthcare and housing.

Why was welfare reform popular after World War II?

People wanted to ensure that interwar poverty would never return.

Who controlled most schools after partition?

The Protestant and Catholic churches.

Why was education often inaccessible before welfare reforms?

Many disadvantaged families could not afford to continue education beyond primary school.

When was the Education Act introduced in Northern Ireland?

1947.

What was the new school leaving age under the Education Act?

15 years old.

How did the Education Act reduce child labour?

Children were required to stay in school longer.

What was the 11-plus examination?

A test used to determine secondary school placement.

What percentage of pupils typically attended grammar schools?

The top 15%.

What happened to most pupils who did not attend grammar schools?

They entered technical or vocational programmes.

How did the Education Act make education more accessible?

It removed fees and provided grants, meals, books and transport.

Why was the Education Act considered successful?

It greatly increased educational opportunities.

Why was a second university needed by 1960?

More than 3,500 students were attending Queen's University.

What happened to second-level education between 1947 and 1952?

Student numbers doubled.

How did Catholics benefit from educational reform?

More Catholics gained qualifications and better jobs.

How did education reform help the economy?

It created a more skilled workforce and attracted investment.

What caused inequality in education funding?

Different treatment of state-controlled and church-controlled schools.

What happened in 1923 regarding school funding?

Schools transferred to state control received full funding.

Why did many Catholic schools refuse state control?

Religion was banned in state schools.

How much funding did Catholic schools initially receive?

Only 50%.

Why was this funding system criticised?

Catholic schools faced financial disadvantages.

What change was eventually made to religious education rules?

The ban on religious instruction was removed.

How did educational inequality affect community relations?

It increased mistrust and reinforced sectarian divisions.

How much funding could Catholic schools receive after the 1947 Education Act?

Up to 65%.

Why did many Catholics still feel disadvantaged after 1947?

They still had to cover around 20% of school fees.

What positive effect did educational reform still have?

Catholic educational participation increased significantly.

How did education contribute to the Civil Rights Movement?

A more educated Catholic population became aware of discrimination.

According to Paul Bew, what remained after educational reforms?

Structural inequality remained entrenched, especially in Catholic schools.

Why was a second university considered necessary in Northern Ireland?

The success of education reforms increased demand for higher education.

What was the purpose of the Lockwood Committee?

To choose a location for a second university.

Why was the committee controversial?

None of its eight members were Catholic.

Which institutions did the Lockwood Committee investigate?

Queen's University Belfast and Magee College.

How did the committee describe Magee College?

As lacking dynamism and a clear development plan.

Why did many people support Magee College?

It was located in Derry, Northern Ireland's second-largest city.

How did unionists and nationalists unite over Magee?

Both supported Derry's bid for the university.

What did Eddie McAteer believe about support for Magee?

That a united Derry campaign would force Stormont to listen.

When was the Lockwood recommendation announced?

10 February 1965.

Which location was chosen for the new university?

Coleraine.

What happened to Magee College?

It was downgraded and denied university status.

Why were many people angered by the decision?

Most evidence appeared to favour Derry.

How did people protest the decision?

A 2,000-person motorcade travelled to Stormont.

Why is the Coleraine decision often linked to welfare state limitations?

Many Catholics believed they still lacked equal opportunities.

What was healthcare like before the welfare state?

Most people relied on an outdated system and private healthcare was often unaffordable.

How serious were health problems in Northern Ireland before reform?

It had the highest death rate in the UK in 1939.

When was the NHS introduced in Northern Ireland?

July 1948.

How was the NHS funded?

Through general taxation.

What healthcare services became free under the NHS?

GP visits, dental care, medicines and treatments.

What was the purpose of the Tuberculosis Authority?

To combat tuberculosis.

Why was tuberculosis a major concern?

It was linked to poor housing conditions.

How many deaths per 100,000 were linked to tuberculosis in 1946?

46.

How many people died from tuberculosis each week in 1946?

Around 20.

How many tuberculosis deaths occurred weekly by 1959?

Around 2.

What happened to tuberculosis by the 1970s?

It was effectively eradicated.

What was Northern Ireland's position in UK death rates by 1962?

It had the lowest death rate in the UK.

What was Northern Ireland's death rate in 1965?

Around 1,300 per 100,000.

How did this compare to England and Wales in 1965?

England and Wales had around 1,500 deaths per 100,000.

Why was the NHS considered a success?

It improved health and living standards significantly.

How did the NHS improve quality of life?

It provided universal access to healthcare.

How did funding inequality affect healthcare?

Catholic hospitals received less support than state-controlled hospitals.

What condition was attached to hospital funding?

Hospitals had to come under state control.

Why did some Catholic hospitals reject state control?

Religious orders feared interference in matters such as contraception and abortion.

Which Catholic hospital is often cited as an example?

The Mater Hospital in Belfast.

How were many Catholic hospitals funded instead?

Through voluntary Catholic donations.

Why did some Catholics resent the healthcare system?

They paid taxes for state hospitals while also donating to Catholic hospitals.

How did this issue affect sectarian relations?

It increased resentment towards the Protestant-dominated state.

According to John Whyte, what limited the success of healthcare reform?

Denominational tensions could never be fully removed.

What were housing conditions like before World War II?

Many people lived in overcrowded slum-like housing.

What basic amenities were lacking in many homes?

Running water and indoor toilets.

How did the Belfast Blitz affect housing?

Around 50,000 homes were destroyed.

What did the 1944 Planning Advisory Board report reveal?

45,000 homes were unfit for habitation.

Why was housing reform urgently needed?

Large numbers of homes were inadequate or destroyed.

How did Northern Ireland compare with Britain in housing reform?

It lagged far behind.

When was the Housing Act introduced?

1945.

What organisation did the Housing Act establish?

The Housing Trust.

What was the Housing Trust responsible for?

Building and improving housing.

How many homes had been built by 1960?

Approximately 113,000.

How did the Housing Trust fund itself?

By renting homes built with government support.

What benefits did housing reform provide?

Modern housing and new jobs.

How successful was housing reform overall?

It improved housing significantly but discrimination remained.

What was the main weakness of housing reform?

Discrimination in housing allocation.

How was housing supposed to be allocated?

According to need.

How was housing often allocated in practice?

According to religion and political considerations.

Who benefited most from housing allocation?

Protestants.

Where was housing discrimination particularly noticeable?

West of the River Bann and in Derry.

Why did local authorities favour Protestants?

To maintain unionist political control through gerrymandering.

What was the household franchise?

Only household heads could vote.

How did property qualifications affect voting?

Homeowners and business owners had greater political influence.

Why were Catholics disadvantaged by this system?

They were less likely to own property or businesses.