victorian social reforms Flashcards
(12 cards)
What is the time frame of Victorian social reforms discussed?
1868-1885 (and beyond to 1900)
What were the dominant ideas that informed social reforms?
Laissez faire, limited state intervention, fiscal retrenchment, low taxation, and self-help.
Which parties were involved in the social reforms?
Both Liberals and Conservatives.
What was the basic party consensus over reforms?
There was a consensus with the exception of picketing; Conservatives continued with education after 1870.
What is fiscal retrenchment?
The belief in low tax Britain, which limited government spending on reforms.
What was the impact of low taxes on social reforms?
It resulted in a lack of subsidies in the Conservative Artisans Dwelling Act 1874 and the lack of free education in the Liberals’ Education Act 1870.
What role did pressure groups play in social reforms?
They lobbied for legal reforms; for example, the TUC for unions and the medical profession for the Public Health Act 1875.
What are the relevant themes of the reforms?
Education, trade unions, work & workplace, housing, public health.
Did the reforms significantly improve working-class conditions?
No, neither Conservative nor Liberal reforms substantially helped working-class conditions.
What does One Nation Conservatism exemplify?
Reforms that helped trade unions and equality in civil law, but did not improve living standards.
What administrative reforms did Gladstone pass?
Civil service reforms and army reforms.
What should be noted about the Conservatives under Salisbury?
They did very little in social reform and Salisbury was not a One Nation Conservative.
