Why were the Liberal Reforms introduced? Flashcards
When did the Boer War take place?
1899-1902.
How many were accepted and rejected in Manchester?
1,200 were accepted and 8,000 were rejected.
Overall how many recruits were rejected compared to Germany?
34% of recruits were rejected whereas Germany only rejected 8%.
What company complained their workers were too unfit to complete a full day’s work?
Cadbury.
What countries were competing with UK for cheaper steel?
USA and Germany.
What reforms were introduced to attempt to create a better workforce and military?
The 1906 Free School Meals Act and the 1907 Medical Inspections Act.
Why was the UK concerned about the unfit population?
They were concerned that the unfit population would be unable to defend Britain’s empire and maintain her position as the industrial leader in the world.
Why is the argument of the concern for National Efficiency weakened?
The Old Age Pension cost over £7 million a year for people who would not fight or work.
The 1907 Medical Inspection Act left poor parents to deal with their children’s diseases.
Free school meals were not made compulsory - by 1912, only 50% of councils were providing them.
What is ‘municipal socialism’ and how may it have encouraged government to take action?
Mayor Joseph Chamberlain of Birmingham was introducing gas lighting, parks, water supplies and was clearing slums to improve lives.
The success of this small local scheme provided a working blueprint for the government, raising the possibility of duplicating it at a national level.
Introducing free school meals and medical inspections on a national level was copying what was already being done on a local level.
Why did ‘municipal socialism’ possibly delay reform?
Authorities tackling these problems may have alleviated pressure on the government to help.
Which party was a threat to the Liberals as an alternative to Conservatives?
The Labour party.
Why were the Labour party a threat to the Liberals?
In 1900, they only had 2 seats, yet this increased to 29 in 1906. This showed they were gaining support very quickly.
Labour won the ‘safe seats’ in Jarrow and Colne valley in 1907.
David Lloyd George said “we will be ousted from power unless we improve conditions for the working classes”.
The free school meal act was introduced by a Labour backbencher.
Why is the argument that Labour was the biggest threat over exaggerated?
In 1910 Labour only had 40 seats, meaning they were not much of a threat.
In the 1910 election, the Liberals only won by a majority of 2 seats than Conservatives. Conservatives had started to promise welfare reforms, meaning they were a bigger threat than Labour.
Why were the reforms not simply to win votes?
The Liberals lost working class support by introducing compulsory contributions for the National Insurance Act in 1911.
The Liberals also lost rich support by taxing them for the People’s Budget 1909.
Which two men turned away laissez-faire and believed it was the duty of the government to help the poor?
Winston Churchill and David Lloyd George.
