Paper 2 How was British society changed 1890-1918? GCSE MOCK REVISION Paper 2 How was British society changed 1890-1918?

1. Why did the Liberal governments introduce reforms to help the young, old and unemployed? In 1906 the Liberal government came to power and over the next 5 years they introduced reform that laid the foundations for a welfare state. Many people objected to this as they would have to pay increased taxes to pay for the reforms. Reasons for the Liberal Reforms Political Towards the end of the 19th century a series of reforms were introduced that extended the franchise (the vote) to large numbers of working class people. These changes had the effect of focusing politics on to issues which were important to the working class. It was the trade unions that helped to create the Labour party in 1900 in order to represent the working class. The Liberals welcomed this new party and in the 1906 election the two parties worked together to win votes.

Social and Economic changes Due to the Industrial revolution Britain was transformed in the 1800s. Rapid urbanisation had created poor housing for the workers, lacking proper sanitation. Diseases like cholera spread quickly and the factory conditions were dangerous and unhealthy. By 1900 some had the idea that it was only government who was powerful enough to deal with Britain’s most serious social problems. The Liberals accepted that governments should guarantee a good, basic and minimum standard of living for all. Personalities of the Liberal Party in 1906 David Lloyd George – Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1908 and later PM. He was from a humble background. He worked hard for the poor and unprivileged. Famous for his 1909 People’s Budget. Winston Churchill – joined the cabinet in 1908. Famous for the 1911 unemployment insurance. Later became PM.

Poverty in 1906 In the nineteenth century many people believed that it was the poor who were responsible for their own poverty. They were lazy or wasted money on tobacco and alcohol. Help for the poor came in the form of the 1834 Poor Law. This law established workhouses all over the country for able bodied unemployed people. The workhouse was designed to be hard on the poor. The Poor Law did not work as in some areas as the need was so great. In other areas the workhouses stood empty for half the year as work was seasonal. The Poor Law was not intended solve poverty but to cut spending on the poor. Before 1906 The Sick Outdoor relief available with poor law hospitals offering free treatment. The Unemployed 1886 Local authorities allowed to provide work for the unemployed The Old 30-40% of the old received outdoor relief and workhouse relief. loc

Poverty in 1906 continued The Young Schooling was provided and workhouse relief. Studies in poverty Charles Booth 1886-1903 investigated the lives of the poor in London. He calculated that 30% of the population lived below the poverty line. Causes were sickness, old age, unemployment, large families, low wages ... Seebohm Rowntree 1901 investigated the lives of the poor in York He calculated that 30% were living in poverty. With an income of £1 a week or less. With these studies and the Boer War (showing that 40% of recruits were unfit for military service) it was obvious that changes had to be made.

2. How effective were the Liberal reforms? Children 1906 School Meals Act – local authorities to provide free school meals. By 1914 150,000 school meals were being served. Free school medical inspections from 1907 – all children to be inspected by a doctor or a nurse once a year. Free from 1912. 1908 Children’s Charter – inc. young offenders courts, a probation system, separate jails from adults, illegal to sell tobacco, fireworks or alcohol, working hours for children strictly limited. Old age pensions Old Age Pensions Act 1908 – poorest over 70s to receive a pension. It was criticised as it was claimed it encouraged the old not to save for their old age. Pensions were paid for out of taxes from the rich. The government underestimated the numbers to qualify.

Lloyd George is shown in this 1909 Punch cartoon as a giant preparing to force the rich to give some of their wealth to the less well-off.

Lloyd George as a highwayman, in a 1909 Punch cartoon. Note the motor cars (a new symbol of wealth) approaching from the distance.

2. How effective were the Liberal reforms? Cont. Unemployed Labour exchanges to help to find good, permanent work. Unemployed people would register with one and match to employers. The Trade Boards Act 1909 – minimum wages for certain industries. National Insurance 1911 – protection against unemployment and health care. Unemployment – did not include all workers but designed for men in certain industries affected by seasonal work. Covered 2.5m workers. The workers and the employer would contribute 2.5d a week. In employment benefits could be paid up to 15 weeks. Health insurance – compulsory for workers earning £160 a year or less. Covered 16m workers. The workers paid 4d a week, the employer 3d and the government 2d. Free medical health care available but no free medicines. A maternity payment also but no other help was given to families. Effectiveness? Although radical at the time, these reforms did not go far enough to help all those in poverty e.g. wives and mothers.

3. What were the arguments for and against women’s suffrage? In 1900 barely 10% of married women were in paid employment. By 1900 it was easier for women to have a proper education. Many more stayed on at school. More opportunities became available for middle class women. Women’s rights movements concentrated one issue – suffrage (the vote). FOR Women had just as much right as men. Other countries had given votes to women. Some women could vote in local elections. Modern women are far more educated and independent. More and more men could vote – why not women. AGAINST Women would misuse their vote as they had no interest in politics and many women were against it. More important social issues to be addressed. Campaigners for the vote show that women are irresponsible. They would take no part in protecting the country from war.

4. How effective were the activities of the Suffragists and Suffragettes? Who were they? – In 1897 Millicent Fawcett formed the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS). They believed in moderate, peaceful and persuasive tactics. How effective were they? Their campaign of letter writing and posters did get the issue into the public eye. However, their slow and patient approach lost them many supporters. Suffragettes Who were they? In 1903 a group of dissatisfied Suffragists formed the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU). Led by Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst (another daughter, Sylvia was interested in working with poor east end Londoners) the group called for direct action and if necessary violent methods to achieve the vote. They led demonstrations, minor acts of public disorder e.g. chained themselves to railings, disturbed political meetings. As parliament continued to refuse grant women the suffrage their methods became more violent e.g. smashing windows, arson and assaults on leading politicians.

Suffragettes continued In 1913 when parliament voted against a Suffrage Bill a new way of violence began – bombs and acid were used. Famously Emily Davison in 1913 tried to stop the King’s horse at the Derby. She was knocked down and killed. How effective were they? Due to their actions many people did not like the Suffragettes or take them seriously. Many were middle class women and the government struggled to understand why they were campaigning in this way. Many were sent to jail as punishment for their campaigns, in jail they went on hunger strike. To stop the women starving to death the authorities resorted to force feeding which led to widespread criticism. Many were released under house arrest in order for them to recover. Once well they were then put back in prison to serve the rest of their sentence – this was known as the Cat and Mouse Act. Historians are undecided whether or not the Suffragettes’ campaign was effective or not. Whilst getting public attention the actions of the Suffragettes turned many suffrage supporters against the idea as the Suffragettes had proved that women are not responsible enough to be trusted with the vote. With the outbreak of war in 1914 the campaign was stopped and the Suffragettes gave their support to the war effort. It has been argued that it was this helped women to gain the vote in 1918.

A suffragette postcard from 1913.

A 1906 cartoon from Punch magazine.

5. How did women contribute to the war effort? In August 1914 men flocked to join the armed forces whilst women sought to replace those men in key jobs and industries. In was later in March 1915 that the government began to register women willing to do war work. Women took on various roles including drivers, police, railway staff, conductors, farming etc Demand increased further with the introduction of conscription in 1916. Women were now vital to keeping the war effort going. They worked in factories making munitions and as part of the “Land Army”. This gave women financial independence and a greater sense of value to society. Once the war was over the jobs were returned to men but attitudes towards women were changed forever.

6. How were civilians affected by the war? Recruiting Lord Kitchener had the task of raising an army to fight in the First World War. Many people joined as they thought it was right for Britain to go to war with Germany. Many people did not understand what the war would really be like believing it would be over by Christmas. Posters were used to help recruit men. Government Powers DORA – the Defence of the Realm Act. Gave government control over newspapers and radio. This stopped the truth about the war from being reported. DORA could force people to stay in certain key jobs rather than going to war. Conscription The longer the war went on the more soldiers were needed. Before conscription was introduced men would promise to join as part of the Derby scheme.

Conscription cont In 1916 conscription was brought in for firstly unmarried men and then all men between 18 and 41. Some were exempt e.g. those in reserved occupations. Approx. 16,000 refused to fight – they were known as conscientious objectors. But did do other work. Of the 5 m men who served, 75,000 were killed and 2 m were injured. This affected everybody. Rationing German submarines were sinking British merchant ships carrying food and therefore less food needed to be eaten. Voluntary rationing and meatless days did not work. So by the end of 1917 rationing was introduced nationally. The price of bread and potatoes were so high they had to be subsided. Later tea, butter and meat was included.

7. How effective was government propaganda during the war? Why did the government use propaganda during the war? The government used propaganda to try to ensure that the attitudes of people remained positive towards the war effort. British people needed to feel that they were fighting a just war. Stories were spread about babies bayoneted by Germans. Propaganda stories were spread quickly like Chinese whispers. DORA made sure that the press printed approved info and most editors were only too happy to print what the government wanted them to. Later on in the war David Lloyd George set up a Ministry of Information which co-ordinated propaganda efforts. It aimed to control war news, supervise propaganda and gather further intelligence. How effective was propaganda? There is no evidence to suggest that the British people ever lost their will to win and in the early days it was hardly needed at all. However it is hard to judge the effectiveness of propaganda – some of the anti-German propaganda did little more than reinforce existing opinions. It may have been important when persuading neutral countries to join. Propaganda did not contain outright lies but the government did try to control what people thought.

8. Why were some women given the vote in 1918? Working contribution to the war effort. Attitudes were changed. Women felt more independent and able to make a greater contribution to society than men had previously allowed them. Women had shared the burden of war – why not have the rights with the burden? Arguments against female suffrage used before the war seemed redundant after it. Now all men should have the vote and it should not involve a property qualification to do so. Under the terms of the Representation of the People Act 1918 all adult males over 21 were given the vote. For women the age was 30 and the restriction of householders of the wives of householders could vote. It took another 10 years for universal suffrage to be introduced.

10. What was the attitude of the British people at the end of the war towards Germany and the Paris Peace Conference? The mood of the British people at the end of the war The British had spent 4 years fighting a hard war, it was unlikely that they were going to forgive and forget! Although land and property was not damaged as in France, lives were permanently destroyed. Germany was blamed for starting the war and many wanted revenge. There was little sympathy for the Germans although there had been more German causalities and greater hardship for German civilians. Many called for the Kaiser to be hanged! The 1918 election encouraged this thirst for revenge. Different attitudes about what should happen to Germany at the Paris Peace Conference Lloyd George had to balance his own personal views about how to treat Germany with those of the British people he was representing. He was under a lot of pressure to insist on a harsh peace but he knew leaving Germany resentful was troublesome. Yet the British demanded extreme measures.