Factors Weakening Conservatives Before 1906

Question 0

Who were fighting in the Boer War?

Answer 0

English against rural farmers in South Africa AKA Boers.

Question 1

When did the Boer War take place?

Answer 1

1899-1902

Question 2

Why did the Boer War help the Conservatives win the 1900 election?

Answer 2

The war encouraged patriotism which the Conservatives were good at encouraging.
The war also split the Liberal party.

Question 3

Why did the Boer War hinder the Conservatives in 1906?

Answer 3

It cost lots in money and lives than expected.
Methods used to defeat the Boers (concentration camps) caused moral outrage in Britain.
At end of war 1902, liberals healed their divisions.

Question 4

What did the Boer War reveal?

Answer 4

The effect of poverty in the cities & the need for social reforms.
The poverty and hunger showed that many men weren’t fit to fight for their countries as they didn’t get enough food.

Question 5

When was the Education Act introduced?

Answer 5

1902

Question 6

What did the 1902 Education Act do?

Answer 6

All schools were to be provided for by local rates (local taxes).
Before this Anglican and Catholic schools had been funded by their churches.

Question 7

Who did the 1902 Education Act anger? Why?

Answer 7

Nonconformists. They were angry that their taxes may pay for schools that they strongly objected to.

Question 8

How did nonconformists act against the 1902 Education Act?

Answer 8

Campaign launched against it.
Some english nonconformists refused to pay taxes.
(In Wales David Lloyd George created a campaign. People refused to pay rate aid to Anglican schools on the grounds that the schools were in bad repair.)

Question 9

When was the Licensing Act introduced?

Answer 9

1904

Question 10

What did the 1904 Licensing Act do?

Answer 10

Reduced the number of public houses (pubs) and compensated brewed and publicans for cancellation of licenses.

Question 11

Who did the 1904 Licensing Act anger? Why?

Answer 11

Nonconformists, especially the temperance section as it compensated the Brewers and publicans who usually voted Conservative.

Question 12

When was the Chinese labour issue?

Answer 12

1902-1904

Question 13

What was the Chinese labour issue?

Answer 13

Chinese labourers worked for low wages and were being imported to South Africa.

Question 14

Who did the Chinese Labour Issue anger?

Answer 14

Moral outcry (nonconformists) and trade unions feared all the work they’d done to improve conditions and wages would be lost.

Question 15

When was the Taff Vale case?

Answer 15

1902.

Question 16

What was the Taff Vale case?

Answer 16

1901 dispute between Taff Vale railway company & railway worker’s trade union, led to strike action. Company took Union to court for loss of profits during strike, 1902 Lords said it okay to sue Union.

Question 17

Why was there an awareness for the need of social reform?

Answer 17

Boer war exposed amount of malnutrition, awareness of extent of poverty, liberal pressure as they’re pushing reform.

Question 18

What was the Tory response to the need for social reform?

Answer 18

1902 Education Act which was controversial and benefitted the Liberals.

Question 19

When was the Tariff Reform campaign introduced?

Answer 19

1903.

Question 20

What did the Tariff Reform campaign do?

Answer 20

Reintroduced tariffs, lower level tariff for goods from empire than from non empire countries. Known as imperial preference.

Question 21

Why did Tariff Reform harm the Conservative success?

Answer 21

Many voters, working & middle class feared food prices would rise & living standards fall.
Divided Conservatives, Winston Churchill voted with Liberals on the issue.
Reunited Liberals as all Liberals believed in Free Trade.

Question 22

Who war A.J. Balfour?

Answer 22

The conservative prime minister 1902-1906.

Question 23

Why did Balfour contribute to the defeat of the Conservative party?

Answer 23

Lacked political skill.
Not as sensitive to public opinion.
Indecisive.
Miscalculated reaction of working classes on key issues.
Failed to foresee anger Chinese labour issue & refusal to reverse Taff Vale.

Question 24

What was the Lib-Lab pact?

Answer 24

Liberals wouldn’t oppose Labour candidates in the election if it would secure victory for either party.

Question 25

Why was the Lib-Lab pact made?

Answer 25

To reduce a split in the anti-Conservative vote.

Question 26

How did the Lib-Lab pact benefit Labour?

Answer 26

It meant Labour wouldn’t have to use as much of its election fund.
Liberals promised to…

Question 27

How did the Lib-Lab pact benefit the Liberals?

Answer 27

Less opposition.

Wouldn’t have to use as much of its election fund.