Unit 1: Liberal Reforms (2) Flashcards
What kind of attitude did the British Government have towards poverty, prior to the reforms?
Laissez-faire: that the people should fend for themselves (Self-Help)
Name the factors that caused the liberal reforms.
Booth and Rowntree Poverty Reports, worries over national security, political pragmatism.
Which two cities did the poverty reports take place in?
London (Booth), York (Rowntree)
What did the reports find caused poverty?
Unemployment, low wages, old age, illness.
Prior to the reports, what was the common perception of how poverty was caused?
Alcohol, ignorance, laziness.
How much of Britain, did the report show to be in povery?
30%
How was this high figure significant, in terms of the liberal reforms?
It showed that millions of brits were in need of aid and reform, it was hard for the gov. to ignore.
What year did the Boer War begin in S. Africa?
1899
How was this war an eye-opener for Britain?
Because 25% of the urban male population were rejected from military service due to medical issues - an effect of poverty.
What was the act (passed in 1903) that showed Scottish children to be severely affected by poverty?
The 1903, Royal Commission on Physical Training in Scotland.
How was this Report (Royal Commission, 1903) of limited value regarding British poverty?
Because it only reflected the issues in Scottish cities like Glasgow and Dundee, it did not show the issues in Britain as a whole.
Why was it particularly important for Britain to improve its’ soldier’s health at this point in time?
Because of growing tensions in Europe - Arms race etc.
Why is it bad that poverty is affecting the soldiers?
Because soldiers are needed to defend a country (and invade others/maintain colonial order)
Prior to the formation of the Labour Party, who was the main support for the Liberals?
The middle and working classes.
Why did the formation of Labour cause the Liberals to lose support/votes?
Because the Labour party had a more specific appeal to the working class alone, whereas the Liberals were generic in their targets.
Why did the Labour party gaining the support of the working class have a negative impact on the Liberals?
Because the majority of Britain was working class, so the Liberals would have their chances of a majority significantly lowered.
Why would the liberal reforms be considered pragmatic?
Because many argue that the Liberals only passed the reforms in order to prevent the Labour Party from assuming the vote of all working class, by passing reform, the Liberals encouraged the WC to vote for them.
Why did the tories and the liberals both fear the prospect of a Labour Government?
Due to the significant rise in socialism, especially in Europe.
D. Fraser (Booth and Rowntree) quote…
“Booth and Rowntree gave to the growing public concern, the statistical evidence on which to build the case for state aid.”
Sydney Wood (Pragmatism) quote…
“Liberals saw social reform as a way of heading off socialism.”
