Pressure for change 1832-46: Social reform campaigners

Question 1

When did philanthropic activity begin to increase?

Answer 1

In the second quarter of the 19th century

Question 2

What was this largely in response to?

Answer 2

The extraordinary level of economic and social change brought about by industrialisation, population growth and urbanisation, all of which brought about completely new social problems

Question 3

What was the increase in philanthropy an indication of?

Answer 3

Changing social attitudes

Question 4

Why did individuals and groups so often have to attempt to solve social problems?

Answer 4

Because it was not regarded as the official role of the state to accept responsibility for the welfare of its people

Question 5

What did Lord Shaftesbury make it his life’s work to do?

Answer 5

Fight for social justice and more humane living and working conditions for the labouring poor

Question 6

What was strange about the leading social reformers at this time, like Ashley and Chadwick?

Answer 6

They opposed political reform

Question 7

What happened to the social composition of parliament following the GRA?

Answer 7

It was still predominantly run by men of substantial wealth, but this now included a small intake of middle class men, among them many radicals, like John Fielden

Question 8

Whose ideas provided the main impetus for social reform despite the fact that he died in 1832?

Answer 8

Jeremy Bentham

Question 9

What was the Benthamite mindset with regards to political institutions?

Answer 9

That clinging onto the old ways of doing things out of reverence for tradition was not a valid justification, process must have utility and work

Question 10

Whose ideas did Edwin Chadwick consider when when he was advising on poor law reform?

Answer 10

Bentham’s

Question 11

What was the problem with Chadwick’s application of the usefulness test?

Answer 11

Despite the fact that he had genuine concern for the welfare of the poor, its applications didn’t take into consideration the feelings of individuals

Question 12

What did Chadwick do while he was a member of the commission of inquiry into factory conditions?

Answer 12

He recommended an 8 hour work day for children to act as a compromise between factory owners and reformers

Question 13

What was the significance of Chadwick’s 1842 Report on the Sanitary Condition of the Labouring Population of Great Britain?

Answer 13

It exposed the squalid, unhygenic conditions in Britain’s towns and cities and it became the blueprint for improved sanitation and eventually a proper drainage system in every community

Question 14

Who was the foremost social reformer of the 19th century?

Answer 14

Lord Shaftesbury

Question 15

What was Shaftesbury amibitious for a career in as a young man?

Answer 15

Politics

Question 16

What did the introduction of any social measures depend on at this time?

Answer 16

The initiative of philanthropists and experts

Question 17

When did Shaftesbury enter parliament?

Answer 17

In 1826, as a tory

Question 18

How did Shaftesbury’s political career shift in 1833?

Answer 18

He became the leader of the parliamentary campaign for the 10 hour movement, his focus therefore now rested on achieving social advancement rather than political advancement

Question 19

What did his strong social conscience make him determined to do?

Answer 19

Bring public attention to the social evils of the day

Question 20

What did a Commission on the Employment of Children in Mines recommend?

Answer 20

An end to the underground employment of women and children

Question 21

What did he argue passionately for?

Answer 21

A 10 hour bill, which would have succeeded if not for the government’s sleight of hand with the subsequent 1844 Factory Act, which saw female working hours capped at 12 per day

Question 22

Why was the 1844 Factory Act an important piece of legislation despite its limitations?

Answer 22

Because it set the precedent for government intervention in the working hours of adults

Question 23

When did he finally get his 10 hour bill?

Answer 23

In 1847, with the support of the whigs and the tory protectionists - who were angry with Peel over the repeal of the corn laws

Question 24

Explain the religious influence on philanthropy at this time?

Answer 24

• Shaftesbury was an evangelical and public duty was part of his religious belief
• There was a growing conviction among the upper and middle classes that it was there Christian duty to help those less fortunate than themselves. However moral judgements were made; charity did not extend to the so called undeserving poor, with help more readily given to those who were prepared to help themselves

Question 25

What did the 1842 Mines Act do?

Answer 25

Made it illegal for boys under 10 and all women to work underground

Question 26

What did the 1844 Factory Act do?

Answer 26

Set a maximum 6.5 hour working day for children between 9-13, and 12 hours a day for women

Question 27

Why was the 1836 Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages Act useful?

Answer 27

Because it meant there was a way to verify children’s ages so that the new Factory Acts could be enforced

Question 28

What has happened to John Fielden’s contribution to social reform?

Answer 28

It has been overshadowed by more prominent figures, like Shaftesbury

Question 29

What was his family background like?

Answer 29

He was born into a respectable Quaker family with a strong work ethic

Question 30

How did he become successful as an adult?

Answer 30

He took over his father’s small cotton mill and made it into one of the largest cotton manufacturing businesses in the country

Question 31

What did he use his wealth to do?

Answer 31

Benefit the poor

Question 32

List the social, egalitarian causes he supported

Answer 32

• Argued for male suffrage
• Early supporter of chartism
• Hostile to poor law reform, believing it would depress the manufacturing industry, supporting resistance to its introduction in the industrial north

Question 33

What was his foremost interest?

Answer 33

Factory reform, arguing for shorter working hours on the basis that it would benefit owners and workers. He therefore admired and supported Shaftesbury, assisting the passage of the 10 hours act in 1847