Reasons why Liberals Passed Reforms from 1906-1914

Question 1

Reasons why Liberals Passed Reforms from 1906-1914
Introduction:

Answer 1

• BK: Industrialisation led to overcrowding in urban areas, causing poor health and low pay
• BK: There was no government intervention until the early 1900s, the only help available for poor people was from ‘Poor Houses’ or charities
• Factors: Fears over National Security, the Poverty Reports, the Rise of Labour, Municipal socialism (and New Liberalism)
• LOA: This essay will argue that the frears over national security were the most important reason why the liberals passed reforms 1906-1914.

Question 2

Reasons why Liberals Passed Reforms from 1906-1914
Fears over National Security:

Answer 2

• KU: Boer War from
  1899-1902 in South Africa, the British Army was too small so volunteer soldiers were needed, but many were in too poor condition to enrol. Socialist leader Henry Hyndman claimed that 50% of the urban working classes were in too poor physical health to join.
• KU: 2 Investigations into public health were set up, the Committee for physical deterioration in England and the Royal Commission in Scotland advised the government to implement school meals and free medical inspections for children.
• A: Showed the government a direct impact of poverty which couldn’t ignore, especially with rising tensions in Europe
• A+: The reforms didn’t only help potential soldiers, helped the elderly and unemployed also.
• E: Most important because investigations had clear guidance, and one of the first reforms to be passed was the Education (Provision of Meals) Act 1906, showing how fears over national security encouraged the government to pass reforms

Question 3

Reasons why Liberals Passed Reforms from 1906-1914
the Poverty Reports

Answer 3

• KU: Seebhom Rowntree determined the phrases primary Vs secondary poverty, and Charles Booth came up with the poverty line of 21 shillings per week
• KU: Booth found that 30% of London was in poverty, and 28% of York was in Poverty
• A: It was harder for the Government to ignore statistics in comparison to opinion
• A+: Many MPs were still convinced that poverty was due to laziness, gambling, and overspending
• E: Didn’t suggest a way forward, unlike fears for national security which did

Question 4

Reasons why Liberals Passed Reforms from 1906-1914
the Rise of Labour

Answer 4

• KU: In 1906, the Labour Representation Committee became the Labour Party which aimed to pass social welfare reform
• KU: In 1910, Labour won 2 by-elections, had 40 MPs in snap election. Liberals only beat conservatives by 2 seats
• A: Liberals felt threatened and passed reforms to win over labour voters
• A+: Many working class were against paying contributions into schemes such as National Insurance
• E: Labour party was too small to be a threat, and there was no mention of social welfare reform in Labour’s manifesto.

Question 5

Reasons why Liberals Passed Reforms from 1906-1914
Municipal Socialism

Answer 5

• KU: 1850s Glasgow Town Council controlled water, gas lighting and opened public parks
• KU: Influential philanthropists such as flour merchant John Ure led the effort to clean up the city
• A: Provided a framework which could be implemented on a national scale
• A+: MPs still opposed intervention
• E: Didn’t pressure the government to make any changes

Question 6

Reasons why Liberals Passed Reforms from 1906-1914
New Liberalism (only if isolated factor)

Answer 6

• KU: David Lloyd George and Winston Churchill had interventionist ideas, they wanted to implement socialism to help poorer people
• KU: In 1908 the ‘Old Liberal’ Bannerman died and allowed the new liberals to take control of the government
• A: Allowed new ideas into parliament, leading to social welfare reforms being passed
• A+: However the proposed ‘People’s budget’ in 1909 faced huge opposition
• E: Not the most important factor as Liberals were not popular, and only just won the snap election by 2 seats.