Britain 1- The Liberal crisis Flashcards
what were the conservatives key ideology and policys? (1900-1906)
continued union with Ireland, maintenance of empire, limited intervention in businesses, strong foreign policy
what was the impact of the Boar wars on the conservatives? (1900-1906)
support decreased after revelations of Britain’s tactics in the Boar war and ‘Chinese slavery’ scandal
conservatives
what was Lord Salisbury’s impact on the conservatives?
Described as an adept political manipulator, became conservative leader in 1881, he became prime minister 3 times, the Conservatives dominated British politics under Salisbury as prime minister
what was Arthur Balfour’s impact on the conservatives?
leader of the conservative party (1891) and prime minister (1902), indecisive and weak leader, his party was seen as divided
he was a Liberal
what was Joseph Chamberlain’s impact on the conservative party?
first a radical Liberal and then a Liberal unionist, Salisbury has constantly struggled to keep him on a tight leash
what were the failures of the conservatives after 1900?
Balfour’s government appeared increasingly short of ideas, enthusiasm for the empire waned after revelations of British tactics in the Boar wars and ‘Chinese slavery scandal’, social investigators (e.g. Booth and Rowntree) had exposed the depth of poverty in Britain yet the conservatives had not introduced any major reforms for 20 years
what were the Liberals key ideology and policys? (1900-1906)
Laissez-Faire (supported limited state intervention) for a minimum living standard for all, free trade, quotas, defending the rights and freedoms of the individuals, reducing privilege and educating working classes
what was Herbert Asquith’s impact on the Liberals?
After the Boar wars, he and other Liberals believed that war should be supported largely to prevent accusations of a lack of patriotism, he was Campbell Bannerman’s chancellor, he was a skilled debater and fearsome political strategist, longest serving prime minister in the first half of the century winning 2 elections in 1910, reputation was tarnished by his failure to respond to the government crisis caused by WWI
what was David Lloyd George’s impact on the Liberals?
challenged Liberal Imperialists (such as Asquith) + believed war was morally wrong so was branded ‘pro- Boar’, prime minister 1916-22
what was Henry Campbell Bannerman’s impact on the Liberal party?
as war dragged on and lost its appeal the Liberals began to re-group under his leadership, faced with the prospect of a minority government, he called an election to contrast the conservative’s fighting within the party over Tariff reform woth the firm commitment to free trade, this gamble won them 400 seats
what was the impact of the Boar war on the Liberals?
the war caused divide within the party between ‘pro boars’ and people who agreed with the war.
successes of the Liberal party (1900-1914) (2)
New Liberalism was formed which gave them a new appeal to the working class, won 400 seats in the 1906 election
what were the failures of the Liberal Party (1900-14)? (2)
Boar war caused a divide in party (‘pro-Boars’ and ‘pro-wars’), conservative majority still in HOL
what was the labour party’s main support base?
trade unions and working class
what pact did Ramsay Macdonald (labour) agree to with the Liberals in 1903 and what did this mean?
the electoral pact which meant 31 LRC candidates fight the conservatives alone
what were the successes of the Labour party (1900-14)? (3)
formed an electoral pact with Liberals allowing 31 LRC candidates to fight conservatives, trade disputes act in 1906 reversed the Taff Vale decision, more unions began to affiliate to Labour + increased their seats to 42 in December 1910
what was the failure of the Labour party (1900-14)?
initially, they lacked funds and only managed to contest 15 seats in the 100 election and had only one two of these
what 3 social problems did the British state face in 1906?
stark contrast between wealth and poverty, inequality (4 million lived at or below substinence, educational opportunities were still limited for the vast majority
what 2 political problems did the British state face in 1906?
women and many men did not yet have the right to vote in parliamentary elections, UK was England centered, demands were growing for devolved power especially in Ireland
what 2 economic problems did the British state face in 1906?
Britain’s industrial and commercial supremacy was being challenged by USA and Germany, there were stark contrasts between wealth and poverty (10% of people owned 90% of the countries wealth.
why did the education act cause the conservatives to lose support before the 1906 General election?
it roused the fury of non-conformists who were outraged that their taxes might be spent on church of England schools
why did the Licensing act of 1904 cause the conservatives to lose votes and Liberals to gain before the 1906 General election?
this annoyed the temperance section of the non-conformists voters who switched to voting for Liberal
why did the chinese labour issue cause the conservatives to lose votes and Liberals to gain before the 1906 General election?
it damaged the conservative government in the eyes of non-conformists and trade unions as non-conformists disagreed with the treatment of the Chinese and trade unions feared a decrease in wages
why did the Taff Vale case cause the conservatives to lose votes and Liberals to gain before the 1906 General election?
the conservatives failed to take the part of the trade unions during the cse when they ruled the company as within its rights to sue the trade unions. trade unions were horrified and now unable to call successful strikes so no longer supported the conservatives and voted Liberals in order to campaign against them.
what were the three reasons for the Liberals introducing a series of reforms?
political strategy (gaining support), improving national efficiency, genuine desire to reduce poverty
