GCSE MODERN WORLD HISTORY GCSE MODERN WORLD HISTORY BRITAIN INTERACTIVE BRITAIN INTERACTIVE How far did British society change between 1900 and 1918?

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Attitudes towards poverty In 1900, many people in Britain were not just a bit poor, they were destitute.destitute Before the early 1900s, most politicians, even the Liberals believed that helping the poor should be left to individuals and charities. They believed that people should help themselves by working hard and saving carefully. This is known as “Self-help”. It was believed that anyone could climb out of poverty if they tried hard enough, so it was their fault if they stayed poor. There was no government help for the old, ill or unemployed. At the same time, a debate was going on about whether the government had a duty to help these people or not to interfere in their lives. In 1905, there was little welfare provision for the people who could not earn enough money to live off. The only government help was Poor Relief. Those who qualified under tests set up in 1834, received minimal cash payments. Those who did not, had to go to the workhouse. They received barely adequate food and families were split up and housed in separate quarters. Otherwise, the poor relied on charities such as the Salvation Army (run by William and Catherine Booth).welfare Poor Relief workhouse Attitudes towards poverty In 1900, many people in Britain were not just a bit poor, they were destitute.destitute Before the early 1900s, most politicians, even the Liberals believed that helping the poor should be left to individuals and charities. They believed that people should help themselves by working hard and saving carefully. This is known as “Self-help”. It was believed that anyone could climb out of poverty if they tried hard enough, so it was their fault if they stayed poor. There was no government help for the old, ill or unemployed. At the same time, a debate was going on about whether the government had a duty to help these people or not to interfere in their lives. In 1905, there was little welfare provision for the people who could not earn enough money to live off. The only government help was Poor Relief. Those who qualified under tests set up in 1834, received minimal cash payments. Those who did not, had to go to the workhouse. They received barely adequate food and families were split up and housed in separate quarters. Otherwise, the poor relied on charities such as the Salvation Army (run by William and Catherine Booth).welfare Poor Relief workhouse 5 5 GCSE Modern History Britain Women’s meal time St Pancras Workhouse, London The only help for the poor was based on the 1834 Poor Law. The workhouse was a building made to house the poor. The very poor, old, sick or unemployed were looked after in a workhouse. The workhouse would provide food, drink and work for it's inmates. Life was so harsh and unpleasant that most poor people avoided the workhouse. Help For The Poor: The Workhouse Laissez FaireSelf-Help It was not the responsibility of the government to look after the poor. Any more government help would be expensive and taxes would have to go up. The poor must take responsibility for their own lives. More help would make the poor dependent on the government. This would make them become lazy and wasteful.

9 9 ReformEvaluation By 1914, over 158,000 children were receiving a free meal each day but some councils did not provide the meals and children went without. Many children were diagnosed with diseases. However, many parents could not afford the treatment because they were not free. This act established an important principle that children should not be abused. Free School Meals 1906 Local councils were given the power to provide free schools meals paid for by a local rate. School Medical Inspections 1907 Doctors carried out free compulsory medical checks for children to spot the signs of illness. The Children’s Act 1908 The Children’s Charter made it illegal to neglect or abuse children. Children were banned from pubs and buying tobacco. Help for children GCSE Modern History Britain Children and the Liberal Welfare Reforms What did the Liberal Government do to help children?

x x x x x x x Suffragette protests Arson [setting fire to buildings] Explosions Peaceful protests x Suffragette protests in June 1913 Dye was found in a reservoir near Bradford and blamed on the suffragettes. A mansion was burned down near Trowbridge. Railway telegraph wires were cut near Newport. Suffragette leaflets were found nearby. Explosion at Newcastle post office. Emily Davison was killed at the Epson Derby June Derby Day 1913 Yes She deliberately targeted the King’s house Anmer. Her police record showed her increasing militancy. Something dramatic was needed to get the vote. No She purchased a return rail ticket to Victoria Station. She just wanted to stop the race. She told no one about her plan for Derby Day. Emily Wilding Davison Did Emily Davison intend to kill herself?