Contagious Diseases Act 1862-86

Question 1

Why were concerns raised about the health of the military in the 1860s?

Answer 1

Many of the soldiers ended up contracting sexually transmitted diseases

Question 2

What arguments were presented in 1862 that led to the passing of the first Contagious Diseases Act of 1864?

Answer 2

• That there would be less women infecting soldiers and the number of STD’s would decrease with this Act.
• It would reduce the amount of prostitution in England

Question 3

How was the first Contagious Diseases Act received?

Answer 3

There was a lot of controversy when it came to the Contagious Diseases Act. Many people saw it as unfair as men were not being treated the same way as women.
Some people thought it was a good Act as they saw a reduction of prostitutes on the streets as many of them left towns and moved elsewhere where the Contagious Diseases Act was not in place

Question 4

How did the Contagious Diseases Acts affect women? Give detailed examples.

Answer 4

It changed women’s lives dramatically. Prostitutes were being harassed by the police as well as normal women on the street who were being picked out and degraded and accused of being a prostitute

Question 5

Why was Elizabeth Wolstenholme important?

Answer 5

She set up the LNA

Question 6

How successful had the repeal campaign been before 1869? Explain your answer.

Answer 6

The repeal campaign had not been that successful as there wasn’t a lot a women could do at the time as they where already seen as second class citizens

Question 7

Why was the Ladies National Association important in the campaign for repeal?

Answer 7

They where the first core foundation which women could look towards when it came to repealing the Act.
Extra : Got the support of working class men

Question 8

Why was Butler a strong choice for leadership of the LNA?

Answer 8

1. Charismatic leader (strong personality)
2. Focused on the issue
3. Ensured unity
   Weakness : Lacked Organisation

Question 9

What were the regional electoral leagues and how did they campaign for repeal?

Answer 9

These where leagues within different areas which campaigned against the Contagious Diseases Act

Question 10

What campaigning methods were used by the LNA?

Answer 10

Demonstrations
Meetings
Pamphlets

Question 11

When were the acts repealed and how?

Answer 11

Parliament finally repealed the Acts in 1886. This was due to the pressure of the public and the mass support towards the people fighting against the Acts

Question 12

What was the most significant factor in the campaign for repeal? Consider leadership, the role of Parliament and different organisations

Answer 12

The LNA and the efforts of Josephine Butler

Question 13

When was the first Contagious Diseases Act passed?

Answer 13

1864

Question 14

Contagious Diseases Act 1864

Answer 14

Gave police within 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

Question 15

What would happen if a woman failed to submit to examination, according to the CDA 1864?

Answer 15

Imprisonment

Question 16

When was the second Contagious Diseases Act passed?

Answer 16

1866

Question 17

Contagious Diseases Act 1866

Answer 17

Compulsory examinations introduced for prostitutes once every three months; examinations were to be performed on all suspected prostitutes within ten miles of a suspected port or garrison town

Question 18

When was the third Contagious Diseases Act passed?

Answer 18

1869

Question 19

Contagious Diseases Act 1869

Answer 19

This regulation extended to all garrison towns and allowed prostitutes to be held for five days before examination without trial; made it legal for prostitutes to be detained in a lock hospital for up to a year and subjected to fortnightly inspections

Question 20

How many protected districts did the CDA 1869 establish across the country?

Answer 20

18

Question 21

What became a prized possession for prostitutes after the CDAs?

Answer 21

Health certificates

Question 22

Who did Elizabeth Wolstenholme invite to lead a campaign against the Acts?

Answer 22

Josephine Butler

Question 23

What was James Stansfeld involved with before he joined the LNA’s campaign?

Answer 23

Cabinet minister for the Liberal government which was defeated in 1874

Question 24

What did Stansfeld do for the LNA?

Answer 24

He assumed national leadership of the movement and established more electoral leagues. He also garnered the support of working and middle class women.

Question 25

Who were the NARCDA?

Answer 25

The National Association for the Repeal of the Contagious Diseases Acts

Question 26

When were the NARCDA established?

Answer 26

In 1869

Question 27

What did the NARCDA succeed in doing?

Answer 27

Lobbying MP’s

Question 28

Who was Henry Storks?

Answer 28

A high-ranking army officer who stood for parliament as a liberal MP in 1870 (defeated in Colchester). He was a strong supporter of the Contagious Diseases Acts.

Question 29

When did Henry Storks loose his seat in Parliament?

Answer 29

1874 - He was defeated by repealers and died later in the same year

Question 30

When was the Contagious Diseases Act repealed?

Answer 30

1886