TD written expression British Part Flashcards
What political parties dominated the UK before WWI?
The Conservative (Unionist) Party and the Liberal Party.
What new political party emerged in the early 20th century in the UK?
The Labour Party, representing the working class and labor issues.
What were the two main elements of the Liberal Reforms (1905-1914)?
Welfare reforms and changes to the Constitution.
Who was the Prime Minister of the UK in 1908 and a key figure in New Liberalism?
H.H. Asquith, leader of the Liberal Party.
What movement advocated for women’s right to vote, beginning in 1903?
The Suffragette Movement.
What year did British women gain the right to vote in national elections?
1918
What is “New Liberalism”?
A reformed liberalism focusing on state intervention to address social inequalities, laying the groundwork for the welfare state.
What were key principles of traditional 19th-century liberalism?
Individual liberty, property rights, and market freedom, with minimal state intervention (laissez-faire).
What did New Liberalism advocate for that traditional liberalism did not?
Government intervention in social welfare, health care, and education.
Who was Leonard Hobhouse, and what was his contribution?
An Oxford scholar and advocate of New Liberalism, theorizing the need for government responsibility in social welfare.
What was the “People’s Budget” of 1909?
A budget proposed by the Liberals to increase taxes on the wealthy to fund social welfare programs.
Why was the People’s Budget significant?
It was vetoed by the House of Lords, leading to the 1911 Parliament Act and a constitutional crisis.
What was the purpose of the 1911 Parliament Act?
To limit the House of Lords’ power, particularly its ability to reject or delay bills.
What restrictions did the 1911 Parliament Act impose on the House of Lords?
It could no longer veto money bills and could only delay other bills three times.
What are two Houses of the British Parliament?
The House of Lords (hereditary, mostly conservative) and the House of Commons (elected, mainly liberal).
What was the Victorian Poor Law (1834), and what issues did it have?
A law providing aid to the poor but enforcing harsh conditions in workhouses, stigmatizing poverty.
How did the Victorian Poor Law relate to New Liberalism’s goals?
It highlighted the need for human social welfare reforms to replace punitive measures.
What did economist Thomas Piketty note about British wealth distribution after Queen Victoria’s death in 1901?
The top 1% owned about 70% of all land, property, and financial assets, showing vast economic inequality.
How did the British Empire’s expansion relate to UK politics before WWI?
The empire’s growth led to global influence, economic benefit, and naval supremacy, but also justified colonialism.
What did Margaret Thatcher’s “Neoliberalism” entail, and how did it differ from New Liberalism?
Neoliberalism promoted market-led policies and individualism, in contrast to New Liberalism’s focus on social welfare.
What are the direct effects of the Parliament Act, 1911?
- The Act significantly reduced the power of the House of Lords, allowing it to no longer veto money bills and limiting its ability to delay other bills to only three times.
- This shift fundamentally altered the legislative balance of power, transferring more authority to the House of Commons.
What was the changing role of women in British society during WWI?
Women gained new responsibilities, replaced men in factories, became nurses, and achieved voting rights, leading to their emancipation.
How did the war impact women’s employment?
The absence of men required women to take on traditionally male jobs, leading to new opportunities in various sectors, including factories and public services.
What did David Lloyd George say about women’s contributions to the war?
He stated that it would have been impossible to wage a successful war without the skill, ardour, enthusiasm, and industry of women.