Liberal Reforms Flashcards
a. When was the School Meals Act introduced?
b. What was it
a. 1906
b. Local authorities providing free school meals for poorer children
If you were over 70 with an income of less than £21 a year, how much was your pension?
5 shillings a week (a shilling is 5p)
When did Germany introduce social reforms?
1880’s
What was introduced to help the elderly who were out of work?
The Old Age Pension
When was the Old Age Pension Act passed?
1908
How much of Britain’s population made up the working classes?
Over 50%
What is the meaning of ‘reforms’?
A change for the better
Which two main political parties were in government before the Labour Party was formed?
- The Conservative Party
- The Liberal Party
Where was the Boer War fought?
South Africa
Briefly sum up the Boer War?
Two wars fought during 1880-1881 & 1899-1902 by the British Empire and South Africa.
The latter of the two wars was more important.
What was a ‘sweated industry’?
A very hard working job for very little money.
What was a social reform?
A good change for society
What was there little of from the rich to the poor?
Redistribution
What was there a huge production of in Britain’s industries?(5)
- Textiles
- Coal
- Machinery
- Ships
- Railway engines
Who was David Lloyd-George at this time?
Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Not Prime Minister… yet.
What were the three options for those unable to work?
Relying on family
Relying on charities and churches
Entering the workhouse
What were 2 thing that opponents of the Old Age Pension Act said?
Discouraging people from saving.
Robbing them of their independence
What did David Lloyd-George introduce that increased taxation to pay for the social reform?
The People’s Budget
When did Lloyd-George introduce the People’s Budget?
1909
What did the upper classes think about the People’s Budget?
They thought it would make the working classes less independent and more dependent on the state.
As Chancellor of the Exchequer, what did Lloyd-George do in 1909?
- Introduced People’s Budget to pay for the Liberal Reform
- Raised taxes on tobacco and spirits (due to high alcohol level in Britain)
- Increase tax as raised by 16% (from 1 shilling to 1 shilling 2d)
- A new tax of 20% on the sale of land was introduced.
a. What was set up for those in ‘sweated industries’?
b. What did this do?
a. The Trades Board Act
b. It set up minimum wages and conditions in industries like dress/nail making.
What did all the poverty mean there was an urgent need for?
Direct government action, to introduce measures to help alleviate poverty
What did people say were the causes of poverty?
Laziness, Old age (unable to earn a living), Unemployment (loss of job meant loss of income), Sickness (unable to work meant loss of income), Low wages, Large families (people had to support their elderly relatives who didn’t receive pension, no child benefits, no contraception
What was there a fear for?
That Britain was lagging behind on reforms
What did the government fear?
- That there would be a revolution of the working classes
- That people would vote for the newly formed Labour Party.
How many men were rejected to fight in the Boer War because of health reasons?
2/3
What did the poverty Britain mean for the Boer?
Many men that volunteered to serve in the Boer War d on Health grounds.
How many male adults had the right to vote?
1 in 3
Could women vote?
No
What were the Parliament (House of Commons & House of Lords) dominated by?
The rich
Which other country had already began its reforms and meant Britain was falling behind?
Germany
How many of the world’s ships were built by/in Britain?
Half
How much of the world was ruled by the British Empire?
A quarter
How much of the world’s trade was produced by British manufacturers?
One third
What were some of Britain’s colonies?
Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India and South Africa
Why was Britain so rich?
British manufacturers provided one third of the world’s trade
What percentage of people in Britain were living below the poverty line?
45%
How many of the working class children died before the age of 1?
33 out of 1000
How many children born into rich households would die before the age of 1?
4 out of 1000
Were MPs paid?
No
What did you have to be in order to vote?
A property owner
Which social class did the Liberal (??) Party support in particular?
The middle classes
Which social class did the Labour Party support in particular?
The working classes
Which social class did the Conservative Party support in particular?
The rich/upper classes
