1906-1914 (The Liberal Crisis)- Social (Social Issues) Flashcards
Who are the upper class?
Wealthy landowners whose family dominated GB society.
Contained Lords and now also big factory owners
Who are the upper middle class?
Factory owners, professionals (lawyers, doctors etc.)
Who are the lower middle class?
Non manual employees such as shopkeepers
They earned less than skilled workers yet had higher social standing
Who are the working class?
Made up 75% of the population
28% skilled, 34% semi skilled, 9% unskilled
Unskilled workers lived in poverty as they couldn’t afford to provide enough for their family
Who provided the first scientific estimates of poverty?
Charles Booth (interviewed 4000 people)
What percentage did the government estimate the extent of poverty to be, and what did Booth find it was?
Gov= 25% Booth= closer to 30%
Where did Booth study?
London
What did Rowntree say the main causes of poverty were?
Economic factors, namely unemployment and low wages
Where did Rowntree study?
York
What % of poverty did Rowntree discover?
28%
What was the required earnings needed to stay out of poverty (stay above the poverty line)?
21 shillings
What 3 things did families in poverty suffer?
- Lack of education
- Poor diet
- Substandard housing
What did both Booth and Rowntree conclude the solution would have to be?
An approach by society, not just the individual
How much would the Liberals social reforms cost?
£16m
How did the government raise the money needed for social reforms?
Imposed new taxes (primarily on wealthier people)