National Efficiency

Question 1

What was ‘National Efficiency’ and how did it relate to the Empire?

Answer 1

• 1902 became common for journalists and political commentators to speak of need for ‘National Efficiency’
• Claimed it was the only way of preventing Britain’s declining position relative to USA and Germany

Question 2

What are some measures of National Efficiency?

Answer 2

- 1902 Education Act led to 1000 new secondary schools over next decade
Liberals....
- 1906 free school meals
- 1907 Imperial College London founded
- 1908 old age pensions
- 1911 unemployment insurance

Question 3

What were the campaign and reforms of National Efficiency aiming to do?

Answer 3

• Address internal shortcomings
• Crucially to show ideas of high imperialists unnecessary for successful continuation of empire
• Strengthen Britain to improve its capability to both run and defend empire

Question 4

What was the Liberal approach to Empire up until 1914?

Answer 4

• Focus on domestic reforms in Britain to improve NE rather than active imperialism abroad

Question 5

What’s some context for National Efficiency?

Answer 5

• Studies showed by 1902 56% of men measured in army medicals less than 5’6” compared with only 10% in records from 1845