Late Victorian decline

Question 1

What % of industrial output was Britain responsible for in 1870 compared to 1914?

Answer 1

1870-32%

1914-14%

Question 2

What can Britain’s fall in industrial share be attributed to that would suggest Britain was not in decline?

Answer 2

The growth of other newly industrialising economies such as Germany and the USA.

Question 3

What series of events occurred in the late Victorian era and what affect did they have on confidence?

Answer 3

Series of economic downturns

Reduced confidence in Britain’s economy

Question 4

Which historian argued that Britain did not suffer an economic ‘depression’ in the late Victorian era?

Answer 4

S. Baul

Question 5

Which historian argued that Britain DID suffer an economic ‘depression’ in the late Victorian era?

Answer 5

Eric Hobsbawn

Marxist historian

Question 6

What did Eric Hobsbawn say about the late Victorian era?

Answer 6

That the decreased confidence in British economy could constitute a depression.

Question 7

Arguments that Britain did experience an economic ‘depression’ in the late Victorian era?

Answer 7

1) Series of economic downturns
2) Price of coal and textiles dropped 30% between 71-96
3) Agricultural sector-increased competition from abroad and market gardens

Question 8

Counter-arguments that Britain experienced an economic ‘depression’ in the late Victorian era?

Answer 8

1) Growth slowed-didn’t reverse
2) Working class wage power increased due to price deflation of goods
3) Economic prominence
4) Naval bases around world incl. Hong Kong
5) Monopoly of S. America trade (along with US)

Question 9

Evidence that contemporaries in the late Victorian believed Britain was facing an economic downturn?

Answer 9

1) Randolph Churchill-Free market
2) 1879 article in The Economist
3) Joseph Chamberlain
4) Free Trade League

Question 10

Arguments against tariffs for British imports?

Answer 10

1) Would squeeze the poor-newly enfranchised

2) Would increase costs of goods

Question 11

What were the findings of the Royal Commission on Depression of Trade and Industry?

Answer 11

1) Unemployment
2) Coal and textile difficulties
3) Fraudulently imported goods (flooding Brit. markets)
4) Foreign Tariffs

Question 12

When was the Royal Commission on Depression of Trade and Industry commissioned?

Answer 12

1885

Question 13

When was the Fair Trade League established and by which party?

Answer 13

1881

Question 14

What was the main purpose of the Royal Commission on Depression of Trade and Industry?

Answer 14

To deflect attention from the Free Trade League and produce evidence to support its beliefs.

Question 15

What flaws are there with the Royal Commission on Depression of Trade and Industry?

Answer 15

1) Was set up by Lord Salisbury who had links with Free Trade League

Potentially making it biased.