Growth Of Friendly Societies Flashcards
What was a friendly society?
An organisation of men who came together to provide assistance and benefits to each other
What caused the creation of friendly societies?
Absence of government protection, skilled men felt they had to be protected
How did friendly societies offer protection to members?
Paid weekly subscription, then the funds were left to support those who needed it
Where were these friendly societies usually created?
In local pubs
What was the reason for the Friendly Society Act 1793?
Government feared revolution - happened in France in 1789
What were the conditions of the 1793 Friendly Societies Act?
Act meant friendly societies were required to register with their local JP + send reports of activities every 3 months
What does JP mean?
Justice for Peace
Why did the 1793 Friendly Societies Act backfire?
Saw a rapid growth in friendly societies as their funds were now legally protected
What % of the population were in friendly societies in 1803?
8%
By 1815, what % of the population did friendly societies provide support for?
33%
What were the issues of friendly societies?
Working people couldn’t join due to financial commitments - degree of exclusivity which goes against beliefs
Why did friendly societies see growth between 1799-1824?
Trade unions were illegal, so friendly societies were seen as the closest alternative to this
Why else did friendly societies grow in the 1800s?
Offered protection in the unstable economic environment
How did friendly societies benefit everyone?
Infrastructure growth
What replaced JP registration for friendly societies in 1846?
National scale department - ‘Registrar of National Societies’
