Contagious Diseases Acts Flashcards
describe 19th century Britain
women could not legally vote, the industrial revolution had created new market a consumer boom and greater prosperity. life expectancy rose from mid 30s to 48. politics was far from democratic. the role of women was non existent outside of family life.
elaborate on the term ‘separate spheres’
It was idea that men and women had natural characteristics that separated them. Women were perceived as physically weaker but morally stronger than men. women had to prepare the next generation to carry on this way of life.
describe a women’s education at this time
they were taught how to be an angel of the house or be good mother and wife.
Describe prostitution in the 19th century
The prostitute was the shadow that haunted the well-run middle class household. Doctors became increasingly worried about the health of the prostitute and the way she spread sexual diseases. for this reason the contagious diseases acts were introduced in 1860.
who did the acts affect
a large proportion of the female workforce and the majority of them were working class for obvious reasons.
roughly how many prostitutes where there at this time
50,000 - 368,000
what was the aim of the contagious diseases acts
to improve the sexual health of the country ( mainly males and even more specially of the army )
name and explain all of the contagious diseases acts
- 1864 applied to specific named naval ports and garrison towns. it allowed the police to arrest prostitutes and order them to undergo an internal examination. if they were infected with a venereal disease, they were detained until they were cured. If a woman refused, she could be thrown in prison after a trial at which she had to prove she was virtuous.
- 1866 act extended the previous by declaring that there monthly check were mandatory for all unto ten miles around the previously named towns and port.
- 1869 act extended previous again by declaring that all suspected prostitutes could be detained for up to five days before then being examined.
name 3 reason they contagious diseases acts were introduced.
Any 3 From:
- the crimean war highlighted the poor living conditions of the soldiers.
- by 1864 venereal diseases counted for 1 in 3 sick cases in the army.
- welfare had been increased to ease the difficulties of those who lost their jobs and couldn’t find other employment.
- many men thought illicit commercial sex was inescapable, it just needed to be controlled.
- after the war there were annual reports on the health of the army conducted by the army.
- people were aware of the need for a full and fit army again.
- Evangelical christians condemned the use of prostitutes, claiming that is desecrated the holy union of marriage.
- in 1859 compulsory check of the soldiers had been abandoned and another way to deal with the issue had to be put in place.
when and why was the committee of inquiry set up.
1862, to follow up on allegations of prostitution.
explain the influence, main features of campaign and impact / importance of : EARLY PUBLIC AGITATION
INFLUENCES : the passing of the 1867 reform act enfranchised many working class men. women’s suffrage societies also formed at this time. Stimulated a wave of campaigning among radicals who criticised medical and military establishment.
MAIN CAMPAIGN FEATURES OR EVENTS : 1867 Daniel Cooper, who was secretary of the society for rescue women and children, organised a meeting to oppose plans to extend regulation of prostitutes on northern towns.
IMPACT: no immediate impact as 1869 CDA was till passed. how ever early campaigning did lay foundations for other more influential associations.
name all the factors to the CDA repeal
- Josephine Butler and James Stansfield ( INDIVIDUALS)
- nation wide repeal groups
- parliamentary support
- Early public agitation
- Ladies National Association
- nationwide grassroots movement
explain the influence, main features of campaign and impact / importance of : THE LNA
INFLUENCES : it was a separate association formed because the nationwide association founded 1869 didn’t include women.
MAIN FEATURES OR EVENTS OF CAMPAIGN: ladies protest was signed by 124 members and published in the daily news
briefly describe what the LNA did, EXPLAIN and EVALUATE their significance.
BRIEF: the leaders were from affluent middle class backgrounds who felt an obligation to look after the working class women. it was a nationwide network with countless branches provincial and local. were a part of 900 public meetings and 18,000 petitions containing total 2.5 > million signatures.
EXPLANATION: they brought all the people who opposed the acts for various reasons together and they gathered great support which gives their cause a better chance at being debated in parliament. Their first ever petition got 2000 signatures. This built up the campaign and bought it the attention that the LNA wanted.
EVALUATION: 2000 signatures will have done little to nothing for the campaign and cause. But it was a start to help bring the LNA the awareness they needed rot make a difference in the future. However it was not the most important because it was the individuals within it that made the only real difference to the campaign.
briefly describe what JOSEPHINE BUTLER and JAMES STANSFIELD did, EXPLAIN and EVALUATE their significance.
BRIEF: she was the leader of the lna. she spoke at 99 meetings in 1870 alone. she was a charismatic and gifted speaker. she attacked brothel owners with flour and excrement. she was not a great organiser though. He was an ex mp and he gave his full time and support to the repeal. he had national leadership of the movement. he encouraged the creation of the alliance with doctors to build a scientific case for the repeal in 1875, and in 1883 he introduced a motion for the repeal into parliament .
EXPLAIN: JB campaigned relentlessly and didn’t accept any repeal that wasn’t completely what hey wanted to help all women and this added a great deal of validity and convincing to their repeal. she was friends with all the right people ( like MPs ) and that meant her opinion was important. she also inspired support and strength with her speeches and these were essential to a successful repeal. JS came up with a pragmatic way to win the repeal. he made an argument to backed up and truthful or fact base that the government couldn’t avoid them. the legitimacy also helped gain support from the public which was vital.
EVALUATE: the na and luna wouldn’t have been any where near as successful with out these particular individuals and they are therefore the most significant cause of the successful repeal 1886.
