Victorian social reforms (1868-1900) Flashcards
What was the Victorian consensus over reforms?
-laissez faire (limited state intervention)
-fiscal retrenchment (keeping government spending low)
-low taxation
-Self-help
Why were subsidies low for reforms during this period?
-Both conservative and liberals wanted low taxation meaning subsidies could not be generous
When were the a)liberals and b) conservatives in government during this period?
a)1870-1874
b)1874-1880
What was the a) Background, b) impact and c) failures of the Foster’s Education act 1870
a) Government established Newcastle Commission who found there were not enough schools and was pushed for ny National Education League (also by Foster so not Gladstone’s achievement)
b)established school boards which by 1880 they were 3000 and elementary education doubled by 1880 and local rates to pay for school places for poor
c)Hybrid system which was not designed to replace existing system
-Permissive: not compulsionary
-Interruption of work continues
What was the original purpose of the Newcastle commission and what did they find?
-originally was supposed to ensure the government’s small investments were worth it
-Found that there were not enough schools
What was the a)background, b) impact and c) failures of the Sanders Education act 1876
a)Was pushed for by National Society and was made by Sanders not Disraeli
b) Established school attendance committees and banned children from work if they did not have attendance certificate
c) Attendance was still not compulsory and relied on parents sending children to school so the kids could work
What was the a) background, b) impact and c) failings of the Education Act 1880?
a) By liberal Mundella , not Gladstone
b)Compelled attendance for 5-10 yr olds and restricted time available for employment for 10-14 yr olds
c) Education fees still charged by most schools
What was the a) background, b) impact and c) failings of the Universities Act 1871?
a)Pushed for by non-conformists and Gladstone thought reform was “beyond odious” but was pressured
b)Abolished religious tests for Oxbridge entrance
c) Higher education (HE) was monopolised by upper classes educated at public (private ) schools
What was the a) background, b) impact and c) failings of the Trade Union Act 1871?
a)Royal commission following growth of model unions and the chairman of the union Hornby vs. Close ran away with subscription fees and could not be criminalised as unions not seen as legal bodies
-Gladstone did not like picketing or strikes
-Pushed for y TUC parliamentary committee
b)Unions legalised
c)Unions could not picket so employer ,due to Criminal Law Amendment Act 1871, could break strikes
What was the a) background, b) impact and c) failings of the Conspiracy & Protection of Property Act 1875?
a)-Made by Richard Cross, Home secretary, not Disraeli
b) Peaceful picketing legalised
c)Definition for picketing was unclear and interpreted narrowly later by Lyons v Wilkins 1896 to may picketing ineffective.
What was the a) background, b) impact and c) failings of the Public Health Act 1871?
a)Royal Sanitary Commission 1868 found the system to be chaotic following ad hoc reform (only when necessary)
-Gladstone expressed little interest
-Sir John Simone pressed for reforms -Doctors deserted support for liberals in 1874 over PH act 1871
b)Set up sanitary authorities responsible for public health and local government reform did not invigorate public health
c)Authorities could not borrow from government - permissive reforms
What was the a) background, b) impact and c) failings of the Public Health Act 1874?
a) Sir John Simon thought it madness that in 1875, 1500 sanitary authorities responsible for 120,000 deaths
-Disraeli expressed little interest
b) Basis of Public Health for next 40 years and epidemic illnesses - compulsory vaccination for smallpox
c)No awareness of the link between public health and chronic disease– shown by an increase in infant mortality rates in 1890.
What was the a) bacground, b) impact and c) failings of the Employers and workmen act 1875?
a)pushed for by TUC parliamentary committee
-Cross passed this not Disraeli
-Macdonald: “ the cons. have done ,ore for the w/c in 6 years than the lips have done in 50.
b) Both employer and employee subject to civil law for breach of contract
c) did not remove class conflict over wages and conditions
What were the a) backgrounds, b)impact and c) failings of the 2 Factory Acts of 1874 and 1878?
a)Royal commission and local inquiry into work
-Nine Hour Movement: campaigned for 9 hour day
-Cross not Disraeli
b)-Reduced working day from 10.5 to 10 hours
-Working age increased from 8 to 10
c) Only removed 30 minutes every day - they wanted 9 hour day
What was the a) background b) impact and c) failings of the Merchant shipping act 1876?
a)Incompetent minister Adderley influenced by ship owners
b)Discretionary load-line for merchant ships to avoid sinking and mass drownings on ships
c)Discretionary – therefore useless and overloading remained
What was the a) background, b) the impact and c) failings of the Employer’s liability act 1880?
a)Liberals
b)Compensation for damage caused by the manager or employer
c) no compensation for damage caused by another worker
What was the a) background, b) the impact and c) the failings of the Artisan’s dwelling Act 1875?
a)similar liberal measure, Torrens Bill, had been blocked by conservatives in HOL in 1868
-Cross’s policy : Disraeli “our chief measure”
b)Local governments had the power to purchase slums and replaced them with council housing
- Joe Chamberlain use it successfully in Birmingham but only skilled workers could afford
c)-No funds available for expensive compensation for compulsory purchase or to build and replace slums
-by 1881, only 10/87 English and Welsh towns took action under the act.
What two stats illustrate how reforms during this time were piecemeal and very limited.
1) 2/3 of men denied from fighting in the Boer war on the grounds of not being healthy
2)Very piecemeal and limited as government expenditure as a percentage of national product stood at 12% in 1850 and by 1890 it had reduced to 9%
