The Repeal of the CDA Flashcards
As time passed, opposition to the CDA….., stimulated partly by the clamour for their…….
- grew
- extension
Describe some of the new criticisms to the CDA as time progressed
-more people contracting VD
- medical evidence that in some areas incidence of VD was rising again
- A study produced by Doctor Charles Routh & Prof. Henry Lee,
- which connected increased incidence to men feeling it was safer to visit prostitutes after compulsory check were introduced
Describe some of the new criticisms to the CDA as time progressed
-legal objections
- More legal & principled objections as time progressed, the law contravened:
- Habeas Corpus
- & basic rights freedom from arbitary arrest; requirements for evidence; right to privacy; & presumption of innocense
Describe some of the new criticisms to the CDA as time progressed
-religion
- some religious group expressed concerns about the inequality between men & women, fearing it legitimised immoral male behaviour
During the 1870s a series of ………. both or and against the Acts were submitted to Parliament
petitions
Describe the efforts in the 1870s to submit petitions opposing the CDAs
- Initial Action came from the National Association in 1869 was to present a petition to the Home Secretary with the signatures of 50 medical professionals
- Despite supporters of the acts outnumbering them with another petition, the balance shifted over the 1870s with over 10,000 petitions containing over 2 million signatures
Describe the efforts in the 1870s to sumbit petitions in favour of the CDAs
- Supporters of the Acts responded to the NA’s 1869 initial petition with a petition signed by over 1000 doctors.
- Over the 1870s, only 45 petitions with fewer than 4000 signatures were submitted in favour
……………. of the Acts have a far greater influence & better connections than their …………
- suporters
- opponents
Why did the supporters of the Acts have a far greater influence & better connections than their opponents
- Key sources of influence such as the Lancet remained in favour and this swayed newspapers, such as the Times,
- who did not take a balanced view for many years.
- This helps explain why the debate continued for more than 15 years.
What was set up by opponents of the acts in 1869
The National Association for Repeal of Contagious Diseases
Who were members of the National Association for Repeal of Contagious Diseases
- Members included businessmen, lawyers, clergy, academics and several MPs
- These included Liberals William Fowler and James Stansfeld
- John Stuart Mill, who also supported female suffrage, was also a vocal supporter
Which demographic was the National Association directed on
It was a middle-class movement - initially women were not even allowed to join
Describe how the focus on the National Association developed
- Initially the focus was against the extension of the Acts in the North of England,
- but later they extended to campaign for the laws to be repealed
When was the formation of the Ladies’ National Association for the Repeal of the Contagious Diseases Act
- Formed a few weeks after the ‘National Association’
Who instigated the formation of the Ladies’ National Association for the Repeal of the Contagious Diseases Act
Elizabeth Wolstenholme
What was released by the Ladies’ National Association for the Repeal of the Contagious Diseases Act on 31st December 1869
- Released their Women’s Manifesto
How did the Ladies’ National Association achieve wide readership of their Women’s manifesto
- It was published by the Daily News, thereby reaching a large number of readers,
- as its circulation of the Daily News was over 150,000
Why was it so risky for the leaders of the LNA, to promote the interests of prostitutes
- It was vital its leadership maintained impeccable morality
- Because for a group of Victorian women to speak ouy publicly in society against government policy was radical,
- but for the subject of protest to be prostitutiion would open female protestors up to charges of impropriety
Explain why Elizabeth Wolstenholme decided not to lead the LNA?
Her radical reputation (e.g a vocal opponent of marriage) made her unsuitable to play a leading role
What were the qualities of the 33 leaders of the LNA which ensured they avoided any scandalous behaviour, to avoid attempts to discredit them
- 12 were single
- 6 widowed
- Over 20 were childless
Summarise the qualities that made Butler a suitable leader in the campaign to repeal the CDAs
- Mother
- Devout Christian
- Married
- Charismatic
- Strong-willed
- Fashionable & beautiful
Explain the qualities that made Butler a suitable leader in the campaign
Mother
- her daughter tragically died when falling down the stairs, which ensured a mternal approach with her leadership
Explain the qualities that made Butler a suitable leader in the campaign
Devout Christian
- Devout Christian, with strong Evangelical convictions, which made her credible & proper in society
Explain the qualities that made Butler a suitable leader in the campaign
Married
Married a church minister, adding to her credibility &
could avoid allegations of prostitution herself
Explain the qualities that made Butler a suitable leader in the campaign
Charismatic, Strong-willed, Fashionable & beautiful
- made her a very likeable candidate, who had undoubtable morality
Explain the factors that motivated Josephine Butler to campaign for women’s rights
-Family
- She was born into a family that supported social reform