Social and Liberal Reforms 1900-1918

When was the Liberal party formed and what were the 5 groups that were in it?

1859

• The Whig Party

• The Independent Radicals

• The Nonconformists

• The Chartists

• The Peelites

How many seats did the Liberals win in 1906 which started the idea of New Liberalism? (It is a range)

399-402

What is New Liberalism and why did it occur?

• Increased taxation on the rich in order to finance state intervention to help the poor

• This may have been because many in the party were lawyers, and journalists in the middle class who wanted to weaken the richer class

What is Traditional/Gladstonian Liberalism and what did it concentrate on? Give 4 examples

Concentrated on cheap, efficient administration and minimal state involvement- Laissez faire

• Strict controls on Government spending

• Minimum taxation

• More emphasis on individual responsibility

• Not interested on Social reforms

New Liberalism focused on greater state intervention for social reform and more emphasis on collective responsibility. Give 2 examples of this (Programmes) ?

Unauthorised Programme - Led by Chamberlain

• Abolition of school fees and property tax

• Reform of the House of Lords

Newcastle Programme-

• Promoted Home Rule for Ireland

• Limits hours of the working day

• Increase in democracy and voting

• Sick pay and pensions

After Henry Campbell’s death in 1908, who became the leader of the Liberal party?

Herbert Asquith

What was the influence of New Liberalism which caused for the liberal reforms?

• DLG and Winston Churchill both wanted social reform

• Major factor for the social reforms

How did the nature of British Society and the studies on poverty impact the new liberal reforms? (4)

• Poor conditions in houses due to unemployment, sickness etc.

• Charles Booth report found that 35% of people lived in Poverty in London

• Rowntree report found that 2/3 of York lived in Poverty

• Galt investigated living conditions in London, and took pictures of the slums

How did the idea of National Efficiency impact the new liberal reforms? (4)

• Many endured poor health and urban problems which weakened Britain’s ability to maintain the Empire

• There were concerns that Britain would be overtaken by Germany commercially and militantly

• Britain needed to focus on better education, healthcare and employment

• High Infant mortality across the country as well as other domestic issues

How did the Boer War impact the new liberal reforms? (3)

• From 1899- 1902 Britain had an alarming % of men who were deemed unfit for military service as they had poor medical conditions and lived in poverty

• Reform seemed necessary as the Boer War was a small enemy and Britain still struggled which made concerns about Britain in a larger scale war

• 2/3 Of men in Manchester deemed unfit for the army

What was the Merchant Shipping Act 1906 and who did it help?

Improved standards of food on ships, accommodation etc.

Helped tackle the issue of Poor diet and working conditions

What was the Labour Exchange Act 1909 and who did it help?

Provided a place for people to find work

Helped tackle the issue of unemployment

What was the Medical Inspection of School Children 1907 and who did it help?

Investigated the diets and fitness of children

Helped tackle the issue of sickness and poor diet

What was the School Meals Act 1906 and who did it help?

Free school meals for poor children

Helped tackle the issue of low wages and poor diet

What was the Coal Mines Act 1908-1911 and who did it help?

Introduced an 8 hour working day, and improved safety and health

Helped tackle the issue of sickness and working conditions

What was the Old Age Pensions Act 1908 and who did it help?

Helped those over 70 years old

Helped tackle the issue of old age

What was the Trade Boards 1909 and who did it help?

Introduced a minimum wage for workers in the sweated trades (chain and lace making)

Helped tackle the issue of working conditions and low wages

What was the National Insurance (Health) Act 1912 and who did it help?

Sick pay introduced

Helped tackle the issue of sickness and working conditions, and low wages

What was the National Insurance Act 1911 and who did it help?

Unemployment payment/dole

Helped tackle the issue of unemployment and low wages

What was the Workmen’s compensation Act 1906 and who did it help?

Aid those who were injured at work

Helped tackle the issue of sickness and working conditions

What was the Shops Act 1911 and who did it help?

Shop assistants given ½ a day off and Sunday off

Helped tackle the issue of working conditions

What was the details of the School Meals Act 1906 and what problems did it face?

• Local Authorities provided free school meals to poor children

• The bill had been introduced by a labour MP in 1906

• Made Compulsory in 1911

However

• There were many deprived children that had to be helped

• The Act did not make it compulsory until 1911 for LEAs to provide free meals - less than 1/3 were using these funds to provide free meals

What was the details of the The Education Act 1907 and what problems did it face?

• Children would have a medical inspection in school

• It would be performed by a qualified doctor

• The problems of health were highlighted by the Boer War recruits which made the government act to improve future generations

However

• It only applied to children enrolled into schools. Did not benefit working children

• Only diagnosed and inspected but it did not treat the children

• It was dependant on charities

What was the details of the The Children’s Act 1908 (Children’s Charter)?

• Made child neglect illegal

• £10 Child allowance for poor families

• Juvenile courts and remand houses set up for Young Offenders

• Made illegal to sell tobacco and alcohol to children

What was the details of the The Old Age Pensions Act 1908 and what problems did it face?

• Those over 70 received 5 shillings a week

• They had to have less than an annual income of £21

• Costed the Government £12 million due to almost 1 million applicants

However

• You could NOT receive pension if you have been in a prison in the last 10 years, claimed poor relief, not worked regularly

• 70 years old was difficult to achieve due to poverty

• Richer people had the threat of work houses

• Not enough for food and rent

• Restriction on married couples (only 7 Shillings a week)

What was the Trade Dispute Act 1906?

This Act reversed Taff Vale Decision (to ensure that trade unions who went on strike were protected from being sued by employers)

What was the People’s Budget 1909 issue?

• In 1909, DLG planned to raise money for the Old Age Pensions Act 1908 and his National Insurance schemes

• He planned to fund these acts by making with radical changes to the tax system (Increasing tax on the richer people) - Known as the People’s Budget

Which 2 parts was the National Insurance Act split into?

• Health Insurance Provisions

• Unemployment Insurance

What was the details of the The Health Provisions (Under 1911 Insurance Act) and what problems did it face?

• Workers were given sickness benefits for 10s for 13 weeks and then 5s for 26 weeks

• Free medical benefits under a doctor

• These were available for around 15 million people who were earning less than £160 per week aged between 16-60

However

• Non working people were not included

• Delay for the act as DLG and Churchill wanted to tackle insurance and health at the same time - 1913

• Opposition form Friendly Societies

What was the details of the The Unemployment Insurance (Under 1911 Insurance Act) and what problems did it face?

• Aimed to support workers who were out of work for a short time (those in engineering and construction trades)

• These workers had a payment of 7s for 15 weeks

• Paid by weekly contribution from workers, employers and government

However

• Non working people not included

• Delay for the act as DLG and Churchill wanted to tackle insurance and health at the same time - 1912

• Only 2 million people were protected (short time unemployment trades)

• Not created to solve long-term unemployment

How did DLG defend National Insurance against opposition to it? (3)

• It will provide an improvement in efficiency and labour

• Gives financial security and stability as people will want to benefit their future selves

• Effective in the long term

What is meant by Friendly Societies and Industrial Insurance companies?

Types of insurance companies providing policies at cheap rates to provide aid to funerals, sickness expenses or injures suffered at work

What was the reaction to National Insurances from the Workers and the Labour Party? (3)

• Workers opposed this because they had already paid into insurance companies such as friendly societies and trade unions

• Workers thought social reforms were made to restrict their movements

• Labour party wanted the scheme to be paid wholly by the taxation of the wealthy

What was the reaction to National Insurances from the Medical Professions and Friendly Societies? (2)

• Friendly Societies and Industrial Insurance companies opposed the bill because it would affect their businesses as they usually collected millions of pounds from the lower middle class

• Doctors opposed as they thought their reputation would be damaged because the government would be paying their wages and not their clients. British Medical Association opposed

What was the reaction to National Insurances from the Conservative Party? (2)

• Conservatives believed in self liberty and self independence and thought people should tackle these issues themselves and not rely upon the state

• Decrease National Efficiency

What are 4 examples of the Liberal Social reforms overall providing improvements for the poor?

• Various measures to protect workers

• 1906 Workmen’s compensation Act brought 6 million workers under protection under industrial accidents

• Mining legislation allowed an 8 hour working day

• Shop Act 1911 provided a large number of retail workers relief

What are 4 issues which were still not tackled by the Liberal Social reforms to help the poor?

• Many of the conditions were strict which would make many ineligible

• Did not solve these issues in the long terms, such as low wages and conditions

• Criticised by the Labour party for being ineffective

• Many limits to National Insurance