Britain Issue 4 Flashcards
Background
By early 20th century urbanisation and population growth had created social problems too big for local solutions. In addition, the old system of poor relief proved unable to cope with the numbers of people seeking help.
Factors
The Liberals introduced these reforms for a growing number of reasons. eg. National Efficiency, National Security, Rise of New Liberalism and Booth and Rowntree
National Security (KU and A)
KU- There was growing concerns after 25% of all recruits for the Boer War were rejected due to being unfit for service
A- Showed how poverty impacted upon the threats of security of the country
KU- After the fear from the Boer War there was growing concerns that Britain’s prospects in a future war would be bleak
A- Made the government recognise new threats, and identifying that they may not be as successful as they could potentially be
National Security (A+ and E)
A+- Figurers did not make this factor the most important because all the findings supported these of Booth and Rowntree’s findings.
E- The fear that Britain may not be successful in another war concerned the government in to introducing the reforms, however booth and rowntrees findings are more important since these figures only backed up the previous findings
Booth and Rowntree (KU and A)
KU- Booth originally found that 30% of people were living in poverty in London
A- Showed the government the extent of poverty in the country’s capital
KU- Rowntree’s findings in York showed that 25% of those living in the city were living in poverty
A- Strengthened Booth’s findings and suggested that this level of poverty was widespread in the country
Booth and Rowntree (A+ and E)
A+- However, though the findings made the government clear to the extent of poverty, the changes were made straight away to adhere to the rising public opinion on poverty
E- Most important because their findings highlighted the extent to what the British population were living in poverty and also it was through no fault of their own that they were in that position. This was more important than other factors because it was physical evidence that approx 1 in 3 were poverty stricken
National Efficiency (KU and A)
KU- There was growing realisation that in Britain there was an unfit army and an unfit workforce
A- Showed that there was a decline in national efficiency due to poverty
KU- There was rife international competition in industry such as in Germany and USA
A- Was clear that Britain was going to lose her status as the strongest nation
KU- Germany was a threat in industry and military which made the government’s concerns grow
A- Led to action as they could not be seen as being weak when the war was going to begin
National Efficiency (A+ and E)
A+- Limits because if it was not for the rise of international competition the country would not have been fazed by the decrease of National Efficiency
E- Important factor as the government was concerned over the decline in efficiency and were also threatened by neighbouring countries. However Booth and Rowntree’s findings were more important as it without them the extent of poverty would not have been clear in the country
Rise of New Liberalism (KU and A) - (Party Advantage)
KU- Humanitarian causes grew as many politicians with working class backgrounds grew in prominence throughout the country A- Working class were the voters primarily in poverty so the liberals realised they needed to pass reforms to attract voters
Rise of New Liberalism (A+ and E) - (Party advantage)
A+- However it could be that the rise in the Labour party spurred the Liberals to make more reforms since the growth threatened their position in government
E- Less important because it was because of the organic change of opinions of the people. Booth and Rowntrees more important because their findings strengthened the cause for help to be given to the poor therefore the government would have to act on this
LOA
However the most important factor in the reasons for the Liberal reforms was the findings of Booth and Rowntree
