reasons for pressure for social reform in 1833

Question 1

what were the problems with living and working conditions in 1833?

Answer 1

• there was severe overcrowding in towns and cities.
• Amenities such as drainage, sanitation and water supply were not developed and housing quality was very poor.
• This led to diseases and the death rate within urban centres was alarmingly high. -> between 1848-49 outbreaks of cholera killed 70,000 people.
• In factories and mines accidents were frequent, hours were long and discipline was harsh.

Question 2

why did the gov (Whigs) of this period think reform was necessary?

Answer 2

they did not want to alienate their influential business supporters (MC) but believed moderate reform was needed to appease the working classes. In return for their generosity, the Whigs expected gratitude from the lower classes.

Question 3

what did the Benthamites do/what did they beliefs?

Answer 3

• put pressure on the Whig government to improve the efficiency of government institutions.
• pushed administrative innovation through the use of
  commissions and reports to investigate social issues.
• they believed in a moral theory that “actions are right if they are useful/serve the majority” rather than the individual.
• they put pressure of the gov by proposing logical change to improve efficiency and maximise happiness.

Question 4

what did the humanitarians do/what did they beliefs?

Answer 4

• they valued the individual human life focusing on child labour and demanded basic human rights
• they made concentrated effort to improve working conditions.
• Feargus O’Connor Lord Ashley and Michael Sadler were all humanitarians

Question 5

what did the evangelicals do/what did they beliefs?

Answer 5

• they had similar beliefs to the humanitarians idea of performing good works to help fellow men however evangelicals were motivated by religion.
• they had a religious and moral interest in social improvement and change.
• William Wilberforce, a Tory MP who campaigned to abolish slavery was a leading evangelical.

Question 6

How did the influence of novelists and the popular press add pressure for reform?

Answer 6

• writers like Charles dickens highlighted the appalling social conditions endured by the poorest in society.
• newspapers was also important in highlighting the awful living and working conditions that existed