5. Poverty in Early 20th Century Britain

Question 1

What did Charles Booth do?

Answer 1

He developed a map of London which identified the living conditions of habitants

Question 2

What categories did Charles Booth use in his map of London? (7)

Answer 2

Lowest class
Very poor
Poor
Mixed
Fairly comfortable
Middle-class
Upper-class

Question 3

Beliefs of Gladstonian Liberalism

Answer 3

Individual freedom at heart of society
If you are poor, it is your own fault
Low taxation

Question 4

Beliefs of New Liberalism

Answer 4

Role of state is to distribute wealth more fairly throughout society for benefit of whole society
Increased national efficiency
Higher taxation to pay for social reform

Question 5

Reasons for British concern about their national efficiency (4)

Answer 5

30,000 Boers held out against British forces for 2 and a half years
40% of British recruits found unfit for military
Threat to Britain’s industrial strength
Decline in industrial production compared to US and Germany

Question 6

What was seen as the only way of stopping the decline of the British Empire?

Answer 6

National efficiency

Question 7

1902 Education Act

Answer 7

Set up to raise school standards and led to opening of 1000 secondary schools

Question 8

Modernisation of Royal Navy

Answer 8

Commitment to new class of battleship after expansion of German Fleet

Question 9

Imperial college

Answer 9

Opened in 1907 in London as centra of technological, medical and scientific excellence

Question 10

Spate (large number in quick successions) of Liberal social reforms

Answer 10

Free school meals
School medical inspections
Children’s welfare charter
Old age pensions
Trade boards act
Unemployment and health insurance