Britain- D3- CDAs and the Campaign for their Repeal, 1862-1886

Question 1

What was the “proper name” historically used for sexually transmitted diseases?

Answer 1

Venereal diseases

Question 2

Why were brothels around army bases seen as a “necessary evil”?

Answer 2

The British Army did not allow non-commissioned soldiers to be married and homosexual acts were illegal.

Question 3

What evidence did supporters of the acts use to argue that moral improvement could be achieved through legislation? (2)

Answer 3

The Factory Acts and the 1848 Public Health Act; improved quality of life for those affected.

Question 4

When was a committee first established to investigate the problem of VDs in the British Armed Forces? How were debates kept?

Answer 4

The 1862 parliamentary committee. Debates were kept quiet due to fear of public reaction.

Question 5

What was the official recommendation concluded from the 1862 Parliamentary Committee which Nightingale suggested?

Answer 5

Penalties for men who hid evidence of VD but not for contracting it. Also suggested the establishment of lock hospitals for prostitutes to visit voluntarily for treatment.

Question 6

What did John Liddell, a member of the 1862 Parliamentary Committee, recommend? Who was he inspired by?

Answer 6

Greater regulation of prostitutes, frequent compulsory medical examinations. Inspired by France who had regulated prostitution though medical inspections of women since 1802.

Question 7

When were each of the Contagious Diseases Acts passed?

Answer 7

1864, 1866, 1869

Question 8

What did the Contagious Diseases Act of 1864 entail?

Answer 8

It gave police in ports and garrison towns the power to arrest prostitutes for medical examination. If a woman was found to be diseased she could be detained in a lock hospital until “cured”. If failed to submit to examination then could be imprisoned.

Question 9

What did the Contagious Diseases Act of 1866 do? (3)

Answer 9

-Made periodic medical examinations every 3 months compulsory for all prostitutes in covered areas.
-Prostitutes could be identified on the evidence of a single policeman before a magistrate.
-Extended police power to 10 miles from port and garrison towns.

Question 10

What did the Contagious Diseases Act of 1869 change? (4)

Answer 10

-Established 18 protected districts across the UK (where the acts were imposed).
-Allowed prostitutes to be held for 5 days before examination without trial.
-Made it legal for prostitutes to be detained in lock hospitals for up to a year
-and legal to be subjected to fortnightly inspections in the lock hospitals.

Question 11

Why did the laws primarily affect working-class women?

Answer 11

Most prostitutes worked occasionally or seasonally, making identification difficult.

Question 12

Which event in the 1860s led more women to turn to prostitution in mining towns and why?

Answer 12

The 1867 financial collapse of the copper and mining industry left many women unsupported.

Question 13

Who was the woman who killed herself after being accused of prostitution? And when was it?

Answer 13

Mrs Percy, a professional singer who drowned herself in 1875 after being blacklisted.

Question 14

What was the difference between normal criminal cases and those of accused prostitutes?

Answer 14

Normal cases presumed innocence until proven guilty. Accused prostitutes had to prove their innocence.

Question 15

What was the punishment for refusing compulsory medical examinations?

Answer 15

A fine or a prison sentence.

Question 16

What quote from a London Lock Hospital surgeon reflects Victorian attitudes about blame? When?

Answer 16

In 1882, a surgeon claimed all patients were there as a “direct result of their own vicious indulgence.”

Question 17

What dangerous treatment was used for VDs? How effective was it?

Answer 17

Toxic mercury, which relieved symptoms but was not a cure.

Question 18

What evidence showed the Contagious Diseases Acts did not work? Who presented this evidence?

Answer 18

MP James Stansfeld presented evidence that VDs had not decreased. The 1880 Army Medical Report showed cases had increased since 1879.

Question 19

What evidence suggested the Acts were used to impose military control over civilians?

Answer 19

Doctors in 1866 called for the laws to apply to northern industrial towns, and by 1869, civilian docks like Southampton were included.

Question 20

Which 2 doctors argued that the laws made the problem worse? How?

Answer 20

Doctors like Dr Charles Routh and Professor Henry Lee argued the Acts gave men false confidence, increasing risky behavior and disease.

Question 21

How did the laws show a gender bias?

Answer 21

There was no power to test men who visited prostitutes and spread the disease.

Question 22

Why were the laws seen as vague? What did this lead to?

Answer 22

There was no legal definition of “prostitute,” allowing many working-class women to be forcibly examined without justification.

Question 23

Why were the laws considered anti-democratic?

Answer 23

They violated habeas corpus. Women had to prove innocence rather than be presumed innocent.

Question 24

Why were the laws seen as immoral?

Answer 24

Critics argued they legalized prostitution and created moral double standards. Some feared increased demand for younger girls, as seen in India.

Question 25

What evidence showed medical support for the Acts?

Answer 25

Supporters presented a petition with 1,000 doctors' signatures, while opponents submitted one with 50 physicians and surgeons.

Question 26

Which influential newspapers supported the Acts?(3)

Answer 26

The Lancet, Pall Mall Gazette, and The Times

Question 27

How many petitions were presented against the Acts between 1870 and 1881?

Answer 27

Over 10,300 petitions with more than 2 million signatures.

Question 28

How many petitions were presented in support of the Acts between 1870 and 1881?

Answer 28

Only 45 petitions with fewer than 4,000 signatures.

Question 29

What was the National Association for Repeal of the Contagious Diseases Acts? When was it formed? What was the name of the journal they published?

Answer 29

Formed in 1869, it was a middle-class male movement including professionals and MPs. It published a journal called 'The Shield'.

Question 30

What was the Ladies National Association for the Repeal of the Acts (LNA)? When was it formed?

Answer 30

Formed shortly after the male association, also in 1869. Campaigned until the Acts were repealed in 1886.

Question 31

What was the ‘Women’s Manifesto’? When was it published and in what paper? How many female signatures did it have (including who)?

Answer 31

Published on 31st December 1869 by the LNA in The Daily News, it had over 120 female signatures including Florence Nightingale.

Question 32

What was the circulation of The Daily News in 1869? Why is this significant?

Answer 32

150,000, ensuring widespread readership of the Women’s Manifesto.

Question 33

When were the Contagious Diseases Acts repealed?

Answer 33

1886

Question 34

Example of negative attention towards the LNA from a newspaper?

Answer 34

The Saturday Review mocked them as a “shrieking sisterhood.”

Question 35

Who was Elizabeth Wolstenholme? How many petition signatures did she contribute?

Answer 35

A founding member of the LNA, she contributed to 90,000 petition signatures and supported broader women’s rights.

Question 36

Which 3 Liberal MPs opposed the Acts and why?

Answer 36

William Fowler (unconstitutional), James Stansfeld (legalized prostitution & ineffective), John Stuart Mill (women’s rights)

Question 37

Who was Josephine Butler?

Answer 37

Wife of a Liverpool headmaster, powerful speaker, respected leader.

Question 38

What was an example of a Parliamentary speech that influenced repeal? When was it, who presented it, and what was the impact?

Answer 38

In 1883, James Stansfeld argued the Acts were immoral and undemocratic, showing stats proving no benefit. He succeeded in ending compulsory medical exams.

Question 39

How did changes in government influence repeal?

Answer 39

Conservatives were in power during most of the 1870s. Liberals won in 1880 and 1886.

Question 40

What is an example of broad support for repeal in the 70s? (not women)

Answer 40

In 1872, working men petitioned the Home Secretary. In 1873, 2,000 Anglican priests signed a repeal petition.

Question 41

Evidence of large size of opposition to the Acts by the 1880s?

Answer 41

Over 10,000 petitions had been submitted. Unlike other movements, many advocates were educated and respectable.

Question 42

What logical and practical arguments helped repeal the Acts? (2)

Answer 42

The 1880 medical report showed no VD decline. Doctors also showed that exams couldn’t reliably identify infection or cure.

Question 43

How did women’s rights progress at the same time? (4)

Answer 43

The 1870 and 1882 Married Women’s Property Acts gave married women control over property. In 1871, women gained local voting rights, and by 1880, women attended Oxford and Cambridge.

Question 44

Who were some respected figures who supported repeal (4)?

Answer 44

Elizabeth Blackwell, Florence Nightingale, Cardinal Newman, Dr. Edward Pusey

Question 45

How did media support for repeal grow? (3)

Answer 45

By 1870, The Times published Josephine Butler’s speech. In 1874, it printed a full anti-Acts speech from an MP. By the 1880s, more opposition voices appeared in the press.

Question 46

Why was there lots of suspicion around women overall in garrison towns?

Answer 46

60% of women to garrison towns were over 20 and unsupported. (so authorities thought they were likely to be prostitutes.

Question 47

What were side effects of toxic mercury (which had been used as a treatment for prostitutes with VDs)?

Answer 47

Side effects included mouth ulcers, tooth loss, kidney failure, and fatal poisoning.

Question 48

Who led the LNA?

Answer 48

Josephine Butler

Question 49

When the 'Women's Manifesto' was later presented to parliament how many signatures did it have?

Answer 49

2,000

Question 50

What scandal was there surrounding Elizabeth Wolstenholme?

Answer 50

Scandal arose from her non-marital relationship (only married in 1875 after getting pregnant to avoid damaging the campaign against the CDAs) and refusal to take her husband’s surname.

Question 51

Why was Josephine Butler criticised?

Answer 51

Butlers condemnation of the degrading effects of the Acts in Portsmouth and Devonport appeared underwhelming when she admitted to having no first-hand knowledge of prostitution in these protected areas.

Question 52

With what majority were the acts repealed?

Answer 52

Gladstone’s 1886 government repealed the Acts by a majority of 114 votes.

Question 53

What were 3 of the VDs that became a problem in the army?

Answer 53

Gonorrhoea, syphilis and scabies

Question 54

Which commission was established in response to the Crimean War and when?

Answer 54

1857 Royal Commission on the Health of the Army

Question 55

What did the Royal Commission on the Health of the Army say?

Answer 55

Warned that VDs were more prominent in soldiers and soldiers then other men the same age. Made no suggestions to solve this but specified that medical checks on soldiers for VDs should end as it worsened morale and respect within troops.

Question 56

Until when did soldiers have to undergo frequent medical checks? Why did it stop?

Answer 56

Until 1859. Abandoned practice as soldiers were hostile to such invasive examinations.

Question 57

Evidence of significant impact of VDs on army? (hospital admissions)

Answer 57

In 1860, 37% of army hospital admissions were for VDs.

Question 58

Evidence of VDs on army's strength? (inactivates)

Answer 58

Out of the home army's full strength of 60,000 troops, 586 a day were inactive due to VDs.

Question 59

How did the gov respond to the 1862 Committee?

Answer 59

Ignored.

Question 60

What did people thing prostitution threatened?

Answer 60

Marriage, the home, families, and the nation.

Question 61

What were some estimates of the number of prostitutes in England in this period?

Answer 61

Police statistics estimated 30,000 prostitutes in England, but some estimated the real figure to be as high as 500,000.

Question 62

What was considered the more harmful VD in this period and why?

Answer 62

Syphilis as if left long enough could cause blindness, deafness and insanity.

Question 63

Evidence of the issue of syphilis and hereditary syphilis?

Answer 63

the London Royal Free Hospital found that syphilis was responsible for 12.5-20% of all admissions to the ear and eye wards. Up to 20% of child admissions to the Royal Free Hospital had the disease, with similar stats found in other parts of the country.

Question 64

What were women seen as lacking compared to men? What did this lead to/mean?

Answer 64

A sexual appetite, compared to men whose sexuality is seen as animalistic and savage. Meaning sexual immorality was pardonable for a man but not for a woman.

Question 65

Evidence of different Victorian attitudes towards sexuality for men and women reflected in laws?

Answer 65

The Matrimonial Clauses Act 1857 specified that a man could divorce a woman on the grounds of adultery. However a women could not divorce on those same grounds but needed additional evidence of cruelty or desertion.

Question 66

Who was John William Acton?

Answer 66

A London surgeon of high reputation, specialising in urinary and genital organs.

Question 67

When did John William Acton publish his book and what did he say in it?

Answer 67

1857. He believed prostitution was a social necessity since married women only consented to sex for motherhood. He didn’t see it as a moral evil but was concerned about its impact on public health, not just the army. He supported state regulation to protect women’s health, arguing that prostitution was often a temporary response to economic hardship, not a path to inevitable ruin.

Question 68

What did Acton's book convince many within Britain's medical profession of?

Answer 68

That there was a need for government intervention.

Question 69

What did the 1871 Royal Commission find?

Answer 69

Improved conditions for prostitutes in protected areas. One lock hospital surgeon said that infected women travelled voluntarily to protected regions to receive free medical treatment. Showed the benefits of health certificates for prostitutes. Found most popular aspect of acts was reduction of scabies. Reduced rates of syphilis within army.

Question 70

Limitation of 1871 Royal Commission?

Answer 70

Only interviewed certain types of witnesses. Prostitutes were not respectable enough to consult so true extent of acts was harder to determine.

Question 71

Evidence of reduced rates of syphilis in the army?

Answer 71

In protected areas, 37 out of every 1000 soldiers were hospitalised with syphilis, compared to 194 out of 1000 in unprotected areas.

Question 72

What did the acts make more difficult for prostitutes to do? (Give example)

Answer 72

Made access to reform institutions harder for prostitutions who wanted to leave their profession. E.g. the Society for the Rescue of Women and Children refused to care for women from gov hospitals as it was opposed to the acts.

Question 73

When was the campaign for the extension of the CDAs to be enforced nationally?

Answer 73

1868-1869

Question 74

What is the name of the metal instrument that was used to perform medical examinations on prostitutes?

Answer 74

The speculum.

Question 75

What was the speculum seen to be used to do?

Answer 75

The penetration of the speculum was conceived as a form of instrumental rape.

Question 76

Why did many worry about the use of the speculum?

Answer 76

Could destroy a virgins modesty and degrade a pure mind, corrupt their innocence or potentially rob her virginity altogether.

Question 77

Example of a medical inspection gone wrong which was deeply worrying for society.

Answer 77

On one occasion a doctor used a speculum on a young woman with an unbroken hymen who died during inspection from what was recorded as an inflammation of the brain. Speculum appeared not only degrading but potentially dangerous.

Question 78

Who was Josephine Butler married to? Why is this significant?

Answer 78

Anglican Church minister George Butler. Contributed to her image of morality.

Question 79

What tragedy did Josephine Butler go through and what did it lead to?

Answer 79

At 6 year old her daughter died falling down stairs. She became passionate at finding women in a worse state than her own and bringing them salvation (usually meant prostitutes).

Question 80

What did a member of the Royal Commission 1871 remark about Josephine Butler? Who was the member?

Answer 80

Peter Rylands, despite not agreeing with all of her opinions, remarked that there was something holy about her, it was clear to him that 'the spirit of God was there'.

Question 81

Evidence Butler hindered the implementation of important reforms that would've benefitted prostitutes?

Answer 81

At the 1871 Royal Commission, John Stuart Mill proposed existing regulation be replaced by a system of voluntary examinations in private clinics. Butler blocked the compromise, as believed it still blamed prostitutes, and wanted a complete repeal.

Question 82

From when did Stansfeld take a dominant role in the movement for the acts repeal?

Answer 82

1974, as he was no longer retrained from campaigning due to his responsibilities in cabinet.

Question 83

How did Stansfeld change the movement? Evidence of this?

Answer 83

From moral to pragmatic. He encouraged the formation of the National Medical Association in 1975, which enlisted medical professionals to campaign against the acts.

Question 84

What shows the success of the pressure Stansfeld put on the gov?

Answer 84

In 1879, the Conservative gov agreed to establish a committee of inquiry into the acts. When Liberals returned to power in 1880, Stansfeld was appointed to the inquiry, which continued gathering info until 1882.

Question 85

How did MC women within the LNA feel about men in the movement?

Answer 85

Felt men were too influential within the movement.

Question 86

How did Butler view Stansfeld?

Answer 86

Although she relied on his organisational skills, she felt his prominence in the movement was a threat.

Question 87

What did Butler resent about Henry Wilson?

Answer 87

His belief that the repeal was not especially a problem for women, but for all of society.

Question 88

What was Wilson instrumental in?

Answer 88

Getting the Liberal Party to support the repeal.

Question 89

Example of LNA tactic: interfering in elections.

Answer 89

Repeal campaigners ruthlessly targeted Henry Storks in 1870, for his rigorous enforcement of the CDAs in Malta, so much so that he withdrew his candidacy for Newark on the day of the election.

Question 90

Why were protesters triumph over Henry Storks short lived?

Answer 90

He stood again in 1870 for Colchester. When protesters entered their own pro-repeal candidate, it split the Liberal vote and handed the Conservatives victory.

Question 91

Example of LNA tactic: drawing attention to women mistakenly accused of being prostitutes.

Answer 91

Cardine Whybrow, labelled a prostitute, claimed to live with her mother and be home early each night. Though later found living in a brothel attic, her case fuelled fears that the CDAs threatened innocent women's dignity.

Question 92

Example of LNA tactic: co-operation with prostitutes.

Answer 92

'Siege of Devonport'. Campaigners worked with prostitutes to resist medical inspections. Provided legal and financial support throughout trials. However by 1971, this expensive campaign had run out of steam.

Question 93

What is a noticeable failure of the LNA? (even though it didn't prove to be a barrier to the repeal)

Answer 93

Failed to mobilise the WC women against the acts.

Question 94

When were the CDA's suspended?

Answer 94

1883

Question 95

Why were the acts eventually repealed?

Answer 95

James Stansfeld demanded Gladstone repeal the acts in exchange for support of Irish Home Rule. Facing a divided government about the Irish question, Gladstone agreed.