1906-1914 Political Flashcards
In 1900s Britain, what was poverty like?
Between 1871 and 1901 the pop. nearly doubled. There was a need for water/sanitation that didn’t exist. overcrowding, malnutrition, ill health, poor laws
In 1900s Britain, what was National Well-being like?
deprivation had to be tackled, in Boer War checks, 2/3 failed basic medical.
In 1900s Britain, what was the economy like?
shrinking versus Germany and the US. 1900- Germany took over GB in volume of iron and steel produced
In 1900s Britain, what were industrial relations like?
old vs new unions. new unions use collective strength for better wages and conditions. counter by forming federations.
In 1900s Britain, what was the HoL like?
Blocked HoC legislation
In 1900s Britain, what was the empire like?
1870- increase in size, scramble for Africa. Liberals strongly disagreed with overseas expansion. Disagreements between parties.
In 1900s Britain, what was the Franchise like?
60% of men could vote
Why were the Conservatives popular around the turn of the 20th century?
modified itself to appeal to middle and working class voters, 1884-5 Reform Act created single-member constituencies so small pockets of cons voters weren’t swamped, well developed party machine, Robert Cecil (Lord Salisbury) was a skilful leader
Why did the Cons lose popularity due to the Boer war?
War lasted longer and was far more costly in lives and money than expected. Some methods used to defeat the Boers caused moral outrage
Why did the Cons lose popularity due to Taff Vale?
Dispute between Taff Vale Railway and the Railway’s worker union lead to a strike. Company took the union to court. 1902 the HoL ruled the company could sue. mares strikes impossible and Cons refused to change legislation
Why did the Cons lose popularity due to Tariff reform?
1903- campaign launched in Birmingham by Chamberlain. Wanted to reintroduce Tariffs. Working/Middle class worried it would mean expensive food and falling living standards
Why did the Cons lose popularity due to the 1902 education act?
prior, Anglican and Church schools were funded by churches. The act provided all schools to be funded on local rates. nonconformists outraged that taxes were being used on what they objected.
Why did the Cons lose popularity due to the 1904 licensing act?
aimed to reduce the number of public housing, but infuriated the temperance section of nonconformists by proposing to compensate brewers and public and for the cancellation of licenses
Why did the Cons lose popularity due to the chinese labour issue?
chinese labourers were imported to Africa and kept in camps. this raised moral outcry in nonconformists. British Trade Unions worried they would come to UK and push down wages
Why did the Cons lose popularity due to the conservative leadership?
Balfour lacked political skill, wasn’t sensitive to public opinion, appeared not to understand deep social issues
Why did the Cons lose popularity due to the lib-lab pact of 1903?
liberals agreed they would not oppose labour in the next general election to prevent a split in the votes
What is the sequence of events that allowed the Liberal Party to win the 1906 election?
Campbell-Bannerman calls an election with a united cabinet, the issue was tariff reforms, cons. party couldn’t convince people to abandon free trade, food taxes allowed libs to fight as a united party, kitcheners methods were immoral, C-B accused the govt of ‘methods of barbarianism’, a report on the nation’s youth condemned Cons failure, when chamberlain out of office chinese labourers in labour camps- reminded public of kitchener, Taff Vale case lost support, C-B promised no food taxes, repeal of the Licensing Act, Education Act and Taff Vale, Lib-Lab pact meant votes weren’t split
Why did the conservatives lose the 1906 election?
they were divided, associated with unpopular policies, and perceived as having power for too long
Why did the libs win the 1906 election?
maintained discipline throughout campaign, judged the moment for the election to perfection. they exploited public fears.
What was new liberalism?
Believed in creating a safety-net for the vulnerable and unable to help themselves to prevent them from falling to destitution
How did Gladstonian liberalism and new liberalism differ?
OLD*- freedom to do, self-help, low taxation, laissez-faire
NEW*- freedom from, recognise some need help, gov. spending
Political reasons for the development of New Liberalism
-could rescue Lib party from recent divisions
-many libs worried the stirring of labour would take the working class vote
-social reform was an area cons were vulnerable to attack, so social reforms give lib an alternative
Concern over national efficiency as a reason for the development of New Liberalism
-Boer War highlighted deficiencies in british military and administrative efficiency
-BW highlighted the poor state of health
-Germany/Japan/US rapidly catching up or taking over
Support within liberal party as a reason for the development of New Liberalism
-about half the liberal MPs elected in 1906 supported it
-this includes DLG, pres of Board of Trade from 1906-1908 and chancellor of the Exchequer 1908-1915
-Also includes Winston Churchill
