Chapter 21 - Pressure for change 1946-85 Flashcards
Where was the employment of children still unregulated by the mid-19th century?
In small workshops
What was arguably the most pressing social problem by the mid-19th century?
The state of housing in slum districts, as well as the health hazards caused by overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions in these areas
What 9 areas did philanthropists and voluntary groups campaign for change in in the mid-19th century?
- Conditions in coal mines
- Conditions in factories
- Improvements in application of poor law
- National system of education
- Relief of destitute
- Relief of mentally ill
- Relief of orphans
- Better housing conditions
- Better health provision
When did the 10 hour act regulating factory hours pass?
1847
Why was the 1850 Factory Act necessary?
To close a loophole in the previous 10 hour act
What workplace did the 1871 Factory Act extend to?
Brickfields
When did the Chimney Sweepers Act pass?
1875
Who was instrumental in getting the Chimney Sweepers Act passed?
Lord Shaftesbury (Anthony Ashley Cooper)
Which 2 people were instrumental in getting Russell’s government to set up a Board of Health as part of the 1848 Public Health reform?
Edwin Chadwick and Lord Shaftesbury
What 3 areas did the Social Science Association focus on?
- Public health
- Penal reform
- Education for women
For what 2 reasons was charitable activity for the poor popular among the Victorian middle classes?
Eased consciences and perpetuated the idea of self-help
When was the Charity Organisation Service set up?
1869
What was the purpose of the Charity Organisation Service?
To ensure that only the ‘deserving’ received charitable help, and to further allow these people to help themselves
When and where was the first outbreak of cholera in Britain?
Sunderland in 1832
Who made up the majority of the members of the Reform League?
It was mainly working-class and had strong trade union support, as well as a few wealthy middle-class backers
What was Edwin Chadwick’s economic reasoning behind the 1848 Public Health Act?
He thought if the health of the poor was to improve, fewer would need poor relief, saving money for the government and local authorities
What did the 1848 Public Health Act do?
Set up a General Board of Health in London, as well as Local Boards of Health in areas where the death rate was above the national average
What did the 1848 Public Health Act class as an unacceptably high death rate for an area?
Over 23 deaths per 1000 per year
When was the General Health Board dissolved?
1858
What non-human factor was instrumental in getting the 1848 Public Health Act passed?
A large cholera outbreak
What did an 1871 Royal Commission on sanitary matters recommend?
That the previously fragmented Sanitary Law be made uniform
2 factors that stimulated the revival of the Chartists in the late 1840s?
- Economic depression of 1847
- Revolutions occurring around Europe at this time
What was a feature of the British Constitution which O’Connor drew upon alongside the 3rd Chartist Petition?
It made Britain a republic with himself as President
How many signatures did the 3rd Chartist Petition have?
6 million
Where was a mass meeting arranged before the 3rd Chartist petition was due to be presented to Parliament?
Kennington Common
How did the government react to the 3rd Chartist Petition?
They deployed troops to London
Was there a mass march to accompany the 3rd Chartist petition?
No- O’Connor caved to advice that the petition be carried by a few representatives, and the march itself was blocked by government forces
Was the 3rd Chartist petition successful?
No- the movement was deflated, and fell away after this final defeat
What type of pressure groups drew away support from the Chartists?
Better-organised ones
What did a lack of funds make it impossible for Chartists to use?
The latest means of communication, such as the railways and penny post
What frightened away middle-class support for the Chartists and what did this exacerbate?
Violence, with a lack of middle-class support worsening the funding crisis
What was a significant contributory factor to the poor organisation of the Chartists?
The fact that the majority of them were illiterate
What prevented a resurgence of the Chartist movement after 1847?
There was a period of sustained economic improvement, and even once it ended by 1873 half of the original 6-point charter (enfranchisement of the skilled working class, secret ballot and removal of the property qualification to stand as MP) had been passed anyway
What reasons were there for public pressure on the government in 1867, when the 2nd reform bill passed?
- A bad harvest
- A serious disease outbreak in cattle, raising food prices
- A financial crisis in the City
What does Asa Briggs think caused the 2nd Reform Bill to be introduced in 1867?
A ‘break in economic prosperity’ causing increased popular pressure on the government for reform
What 2 types of people had their influence within the Liberal party in the 1860s?
Commercial and industrial members