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Britain 1900-11 (Chapter 1) Flashcards

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1
Q

When was the Anglo-Boer War?

A

1899-1902

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2
Q

What government was in power between 1895-1902?

A

Conservatives under Lord Salisbury.

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3
Q

What government was in power between 1902-5?

A

Conservatives under Arthur Balfour.

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4
Q

What government was in power between 1905-8?

A

Liberals under Herny Campbell Bannerman.

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5
Q

What government was in power between 1908-14?

A

Liberals under Asquith.

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6
Q

What was the poor law?

A

Amended in 1843.
A scheme for providing relief by taking the destitute into workhouses were conditions were made deliberately harsh to deter all but those who really needed it.

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7
Q

Why was poverty an issue in the early twentieth century?

A

-Increase in the size and concentration of the population as a result of industrialisation.
-Size of population nearly doubled in the 40 years after 1871.

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8
Q

What did the increase in population lead to in the early twentieth century?

A

An increased demand on water supply and sanitation.
This led to overcrowding, malnutrition and overall ill-health.

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9
Q

Who analysed poverty and deprivation in the early twentieth century?

A

Charles Booth and Seebohm Rowntree.
-They analysed social conditions in London and Yorkshire.

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10
Q

Define Eugenics:

A

The science of improving the quality of the human stock by breeding out inherited weaknesses and deficiencies.

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11
Q

What did the army report of 1902 discover about welfare in Britain?

A

Nearly 2/3s of the volunteers who had volunteered to join the services at the time of the Anglo Boer War failed to pass the basic medical test.

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12
Q

What did ‘national efficiency’ refer to?

A

-The level of wellbeing and health that it was felt that the British people needed if it was to sustain its strength industrially and militarily.

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13
Q

Who was a left wing promoter of eugenics?

A

Bernard Shaw. (Spoke in favour of selective breeding)

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14
Q

What did the Interdepartmental Committee on Physical Deterioration recommend to improve national welfare?

A

-Full-time medical officers and health visitors in urban areas.
-local authorities to lay down standards for all food and drink.
-Regular medical examination of school children.
-Laws against smoke pollution to be introduced.
-Basic hygiene taught in schools.
-Local authorities to provide meals for school children.

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15
Q

What youth movement was created response to ‘national efficiency’?

A

Boy Scouts - Founded by Lord Baden Powell.
it had become a nation-wide movement by 1914.

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16
Q

What were staple industries?

A

Enterprises on which Britain’s industrial strength had typically been based on, such as the textile, coal, iron and steel productions

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17
Q

Why was England’s trade and industry seen to be an issuee between 1970-1914?

A

It appeared to be shrinking.
Decline most evident in the staple industries.

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18
Q

What was the British industrial growth rate?

A

2.3% - half of the USA.

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19
Q

What percentage of world trade did England make up in 1910?

A

10% in England
Compared to 20% in Germany and 40% in America.

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20
Q

Why would revisionist historians argue that the decline in trade in Britain was exaggerated?

A

-They argued that British industry was growing healthily and was more cost effective than American and German industry (even though their output was lower).

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21
Q

What areas did new industries begin to develop in?

A

-transport and communication
-distributive trades
-hotels and catering
-financial services
-health provisions
-education
-public administrations

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22
Q

Who are revisionist historians?

A

Those who challenge the accepted interpretation of historical events.

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23
Q

What are invisible goods?

A

The sale abroad of services (usually in the financial sector) rather than tangible goods.

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24
Q

Why were invisible earnings important to Britain?

A

-Increasingly important part of the economy.
-They kept Britain solvent at critical times.

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25
What were the 'old' unions?
Established organisations representing skilled workers.
26
What were the 'new' unions?
Unions representing large groups of workers such as dockers, transport workers and miners.
27
What victories had the 'new' unions won by 1890?
-Gas workers had successfully struck for an 8 hour day -The dockers' tanner' (sixpence a day basic rate) had been granted by the authorities.
28
Why did employment in agriculture decline in England between 1841 and 1911?
Fell from 22% to 11%. This was due to a series agriculture recession in the 1870s. Britain began to import cheap corn from North America, Argentina and Australia. Farmers in England could not compete with the prices. Farmers were also hit by a series of harvest failures. As a result only larger farmers made reasonable profits and were able to survive.
29
When was the 'scramble for Africa'?
From the 1870s to 1914.
30
What was the 'scramble for Africa'?
Major European powers (Germany, France, Belgium, Portugal and Britain) separately took over large areas of the African continent.
31
What was imperialism?
The acquiring of colonies principally of the purpose of prestige and economic exploitation - a term particularly associated with the Conservative party.
32
What was W.E Galdstone's impression on imperialism?
Imperialism was both immoral and a threat to international peace.
33
What steps had been taken since 1832 to widen the franchise?
-By 1900 60% of adult males had the right to vote.
34
Who was W.E Gladstone?
A British statesman who dominated the liberal party from the 1860s until his death in 1898.
35
What is the two-chamber structure in British parliament?
Means that there are two houses: the elected House of Commons and the unelected House of Lords.
36
Why was the House of Lords an issue for British democracy?
They were able to block legislation sent up by the House of Lords despite being unelected.
37
Why was it only the liberal party that disliked the structure of the House of Lords?
The conservatives had a majority in the House of Lords, meaning they could pass legislation more easily.
38
Which one of Gladstone's bills did the House of Lords reject?
The Home Rule Bill.
39
Who pushed for Home Rule in the 19th century?
Irish Nationalists.
40
What did the Irish nationalists want?
A creation of a separate government in Dublin that was responsible for Irish Affairs.
41
Why did Ulster not accept the Home Rule Bill?
-Had a largely catholic population. -They were not prepared to accept an Irish Settlement that gave Southern Catholic Ireland control. -Also argued that it undermined the unity of the United Kingdom.
42
What were problems for Britain in 1900?
-Poverty. -A declining economy. -Crisis in industrial relations. -The disputed role of empire. -The franchise. -The anomalous position of the House of Lords.
43
What were the three main classes in the early 20th century?
-Upper Class - traditional landed aristocracy. -Middle Class - those who worked in a traded profession. -People who worked for wages in industry or land.
44
When was the Anglo-Boer war?
1899-1902
45
Which PM dealt with the Anglo Boer War?
Lord Salisbury.
46
How did the Anglo Boer war begin?
Arose from a dispute between the British and Dutch Boer settlers . Britain had agreed to give the Boers the Transvaal and Orange Free State. Although Britain formally recognised the Boers rights of self-governance in the Transvaal it still claimed that they had authority over the region.
47
Why did Joseph Chamberlin ( then colonial secretary) believe the Anglo-Boer war was important?
Believed that British supremacy in Southern Africa was essential in maintaining Britain's imperial strength. Believed if Britain was a powerful empire, it could also be a powerful nation.
48
Who were the 'pro-boers'?
Those who were against the anglo-boer war. They questioned the morality of Britain's position as the aggressor.
49
Why was the 1900 election called the 'khaki election'?
The conservatives deliberately played on the patriotism of the electorate with the Anglo-Boer war taking place.
50
Why was the Anglo-Boer war seen as a failure for the conservatives?
-Pro-Boers constantly drew attention to the failures of the British. -The British used extreme measures. -Concentration camps were used - diseases spread in them. -It took the British army 3 years to defeat an outnumbered and outgunned group of farmers. -Bannerman accused salisbury of employing 'the methods of barbarism'.
51
Who succeeded Salisbury in 1902?
Arthur Balfour (conservative).
52
Why was Chinese slavery a problem for Balfour's government?
-Balfour's gov was accused of allowing a large number of Chinese labourers 'coolies', to be brought from Asia to work in applying conditions and poor wafers in mines in southern Africa. -The gov said it was a matter for British officials in Africa to deal with - many felt like the Govs moral authority had been compromised.
53
What were the events of the Taff Vale decision 1901?
-1900 employees of Taff Vale Railway company (south wales) went on strike with the full backing of their union. -company tried to break strike by bringing in non-union workers. -Company took the ASRS to court for illegal picketing. Strikers gained nothing and returned to work. -Company took the union to court again to claim damages for the financial losses caused by the strike. -The case was ultimately presented to the House of Lords and they found for the company.
54
Why was the decision made by the Lords on Taff Vale so significant?
When Balfour declared in 1902 that he had no intention of reversing the Taff Vale decision against trade unions, it reinforced the idea among workers that the conservatives were unsympathetic to their efforts.
55
What was Balfour's Education Act 1902?
-Raised the school leaving age to 12. -Granted subsidies to church schools from local rates. -Abolished locally elected school boards and passed authority over schools to the county or borough councils.
56
Why did Balfour's education act cause a religious dispute?
There were disputes between the Anglican Church and Nonconformists. Nonconformists were unhappy because as Anglican schools were now receiving state funding ( this was neccassary to accommodate the expansion of schools).
57
What the Licensing Act 1904?
-Regulated the sale and consumption of liquor. -Aimed to protect children and stop the adulteration of alcoholic drinks.
58
Why did non-conformists condemn the Licensing Act?
It provided generous compensation to the brewers and landlords who would loose their license under the new liquor legislation.
59
What was the Irish Land Act (Wyndham's Act) 1902 ?
It made 100 million available to tenants to buy out their English landlords. This was something that that Irish peasantry has yearned for centuries.
60
How did people respond to the Irish Land Act (1902) ?
Irish Nationalists regarded it as a belated recognition go their long-withheld rights. Irish Nationalists dismissed it as submission to nationalist pressure.
61
What was imperial preference?
-An alternative term for tariff reform. -System for protecting home produced goods and food by placing restrictive duties on import unless they came from British colonies.
62
What were Chamberlain's motives for tariff reform?
-Chamberlain believed that poverty and destitution was great in the UK. -Feared that taxing a group of society would lead to revolutionary socialism. -Thought the UK would benefit economically with imperial preference.
63
When did Balfour resign as Prime Minister?
1905
64
Why did Balfor advise King Edward VII to dissolve parliament when he resigned?
-Because he knew that the liberals led by Henry Campbell-Bannerman would form an interim government. -Balfour intended to play on the divisions within the liberals over Home Rule.
65
What majority did the liberals win in the 1906 election?
A majority of 243 over the conservatives.
66
What electoral issues faced the conservatives?
-General dissatisfaction felt by the electorate. -FPTP did not favour their vote share.
67
What was 'new liberalism'?
The movement within the liberal party that pressed for social reform to be the parties principle policy.
68
What was Gladstone's slogan on the liberal party?
"Peace, Retrenchment and Reform". Peace - settling of international disputes through negotiation. Retrenchment - cutting wasteful central government expenditure. Reform - Acceptance of essential change as long as it did not encroach the freedom of the individual.
69
Who replaced Bannerman in 1908?
Asquith.
70
What was the Old Age Pensions Act 1908?
Granted 5s a week to those over 70 who had an income less than 31.50 and who hadn't previously received help from the poor law. Pension was non-contributory and funded through government revenues.
71
What were the main Liberal social reforms 1906 - 1911?
Trade Disputes Act (1906) Education Act (1906) Education Act (1907) Children's Act (1908) Old Age Pensions Act (1902 ) The Peoples Budget (1909) The Trade Boards Act (1909) Labor Exchange Act (1909) National Insurance Act (1911) Shops Act (1911)
72
What was the Trade Disputes Act 1906?
Reversed the Taff Vale decision by protecting union funds from claims for damages from arising strikes.
73
What was the Education Act 1906?
Empowered local education authorities to provide school meals for 'needy' children. Measure wasn't compulsory and only 1/3 of authorities provided meals by 1911.
74
What was the 1907 Education Act?
Introduced compulsory medical examinations. Children had to be examined three times a during the school year.
75
What was the 1908 Children's Act?
Created special provisions for young offenders by setting up juvenile courts. Helped to establish that the needs of children were to be treated separately. Believed that improving conditions of the young will help to achieve national efficiency.
76
What was the 1909 Trade Boards Act?
Laid down a minimum wage in the sweated industries.
77
What was the Labour Exchange Act 1909?
Provided accessible centres were employers could advertise jobs. Aim to take away the uncertainty of the hit and miss nature of the job market.
78
What was the Shops Act 1911?
Established the legal right of shop workers to a weekly half-day holiday.
79
What were the main terms of the People's Budget 1909?
-Standard rate of income tax to be raised. -A new 'super tax' on 2.5p on the pound for those who earned over 5000 a year. -Death duties to be paid on estates valued over 5000. -A twenty per cent levy on the unearned increase in land values. -Increased taxation on the sale of alcohol. tobacco and motorcars.
80
Why did the conservatives attack Lloyd George's People's Budget?
-Taxing landowners so heavily was deliberately causing a class war. -Argued that there was hypocrisy in Lloyd George's intentions, with the majority of the revenue made from the new budget going towards warships/Dreadnaughts (16 million pounds).
81
What was the National Insurance Act 1911?
It paid money to workers without jobs for up to 15 weeks and prevented them from falling into poverty.
82
Why was there resistance to the National Insurance Act 1911?
-Many of the working class already paid privately into schemes run by insurance companies. -Workers doubted that they would gain more from an imposed state plan than from their own private insurance. -It was attacked by the press.
83
What was the welfare state?
A comprehensive state funded programme to provide essential social, health and education needs of all the people, regardless of their income or social status.
84
By how much had cost of living increased by between 1906 and 1914?
14%
85
What was the Lib-Lab pact?
An agreement between the LRC and the Liberal party that their constituency candidates would not stand against each other in parliamentary elections. Formed when the LRC realised it wouldn't get into government on its own.
86
Why was the Labour Representation Committee (LRC) formed?
Came after the belief that the liberals were supporting the middle class. LRC was to represent the working class.
87
When was the Labour Party formed?
1906 - after LRC groups joined together.
88
What were the groups that made up the Labour Party?
-Trade Unions -The Social Democratic Federation. -The Socialist League. -The Independent Labour Party - founded by James Keir Hardie. -The Co-operative societies.
89
How many MPs did the Labour Party have in the commons in 1910?
42
90
What group was labour dependent on?
Trade Unions - both financially and for the members.
91
What were Labours attitude towards liberal reform?
-Beatrice Webb (leading Fabian) opposed the National Insurance act of 1911 saying the working class were to 'dull witted to understand'. 'Millions of public money will be wastefully collected and wastefully spent'..
92
What was the Osborne Judgement?
A 1909 appeal court ruling that it was illegal for a trade union to use its funds to support a political party or to pay candidates or MPs.

Britain (History) (4 decks)

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