Whig reforms under Earl Grey 1830-34

Question 1

what was the Slavery Abolition Act?
(social to an extent but if specifically questioned on social)

Answer 1

• The Act freed all slaves, although they did have to serve an apprenticeship of up to 7 years to their former owners.
• gov paid £20 million in compensation to the slave traders.
• leading force behind the Act was William Wilberforce,

Question 2

when was the Slavery Abolition Act?

Answer 2

1833

Question 3

what was the factory act 1833/Lord Althrop factory act?
(social)

Answer 3

the real force behind the act was Lord Ashley who pressured for change to factory conditions and Edwin Chadwick, who called for a royal commission. The Acts terms were:
- No child under the age of 9 could be employed in a factory.
Children between the ages of 9 and 13 were restricted to an 8-hour day,with 2 for education.
- Children 13+ were restricted to a 12-hour day.
- Factory owners were to keep a register of all children and young persons employed.
- 4 permanent inspectors were appointed to oversee implementation.

Question 4

when was the 1st factory act?

Answer 4

1833

Question 5

what were the limitations to the 1833 factory act?

Answer 5

• only 4 inspectors to oversee the implementation of
  the Act was inadequate.
• only applied mainly to the textile industry
• Adult working conditions and hours were not changed.
• could easily be ignored by employers.
• Parents lied about the age of the children, reliant on their wages
• education of children was unmanageable - seen as unnecessary
• Fines on factory owners where not imposed by magistrates (MC investments in factories/owners friends or family)

Question 6

what were the successes of the 1833 factory act?

Answer 6

• attempted to limit children in factories + regulate hours
• system of inspection was introduced
• was a starting point in the removal of exploitation in the working place.

Question 7

what was the gov grant for education?
(social)

Answer 7

• the Church of England and Nonconformist groups were given £20,000 to provide education.
• gov acknowledged some responsibility for providing education.

Question 8

when was the gov grant for education?

Answer 8

1833

Question 9

what was the poor law amendment act?
(social)

Answer 9

Edwin Chadwick led the investigation into the poor law leading to this act
the terms were:
- Outdoor relief was stopped
- The workhouse system introduced replacing Speenhamland system
- ‘workhouse test’ if u wanted relief would have to go into workhouse
- Parishes grouped into Poor Law Unions
- Poor Law Department in London to regulate an inforce act using 3 paid inspectors nationally aswell as local official

Question 10

when was the poor law amendment act?

Answer 10

1834

Question 11

what were the successes of the poor law amendment act?

Answer 11

• increase the efficiency of the system.
• overall cost of poor relief was reduced.
• corruption was reduced.

Question 12

what were the failures of the poor law amendment act?

Answer 12

• made life even more difficult for the poorer sections of society.
• no attempt to deal with the causes of poverty.
• Conditions in the workhouses were overly harsh.
• Anti-Poor Law Campaign developed