Have you created a glossary of key terms/people? Trade Unions Trade Unions Nonconformist Nonconformist Boer War Boer War Conservative Party Conservative Party Liberal Party Liberal Party Labour Party Labour Party Irish Nationalist Party Irish Nationalist Party Free Trade Free Trade Rates Rates Imperial Protectionism Imperial Protectionism Landslide Landslide Campbell-Bannerman Campbell-Bannerman Arthur Balfour Arthur Balfour

Why did the Liberal Party win the general election of 1906 L/O: 1) To understand the reasons for the Liberal victory in ) To make a judgement as to the most important reason why the Liberals won 3) To learn how to approach essay writing at AS- Level

Each of these pictures is loosely linked to a reason why the Liberals won the 1906 election. Can you work out what they are?

The Boer War Costly in money and lives. Costly in money and lives. War lasted much longer than people expected – 3 years to defeat an inexperienced group of badly equipped farmers. War lasted much longer than people expected – 3 years to defeat an inexperienced group of badly equipped farmers. Methods used to defeat Boers caused moral outrage in Britain. Methods used to defeat Boers caused moral outrage in Britain. British army interned civilians in concentration camps where dreadful conditions led to the spread of fatal diseases. British army interned civilians in concentration camps where dreadful conditions led to the spread of fatal diseases. C-B described the army’s methods as ‘barbaric’ and Lloyd George declared ‘we are killing babies now’. C-B described the army’s methods as ‘barbaric’ and Lloyd George declared ‘we are killing babies now’. Revealed the extent of poverty in Britain’s cities and need for social reform. Revealed the extent of poverty in Britain’s cities and need for social reform. Roughly two volunteers in every three were rejected because they were medically unfit. Roughly two volunteers in every three were rejected because they were medically unfit. People wondered how a prosperous country such as Britain could produce such weak and undernourished young people. People wondered how a prosperous country such as Britain could produce such weak and undernourished young people. The Liberal Party was reunited as the war went on. The Liberal Party was reunited as the war went on.

The 1902 Education Act Non-conformist support swung firmly back in favour of the Liberal Party Non-conformist support swung firmly back in favour of the Liberal Party They were furious that there rates were going to help pay for Roman Catholic and Church of England schools They were furious that there rates were going to help pay for Roman Catholic and Church of England schools They launched a campaign against the Act which was supported by the Liberal Party They launched a campaign against the Act which was supported by the Liberal Party Lloyd George in Wales. Lloyd George in Wales.

The 1904 Licensing Act The 1904 Licensing Act: The 1904 Licensing Act: Infuriated non-conformists by proposing to compensate publicans for the cancellation of licences Infuriated non-conformists by proposing to compensate publicans for the cancellation of licences

‘Chinese Slavery’ The Chinese Labour Act angered the trade unionists and nonconformists The Chinese Labour Act angered the trade unionists and nonconformists Nonconformists raised a moral outcry about the treatment of the Chinese Nonconformists raised a moral outcry about the treatment of the Chinese Trade unionists feared that employers might bring Chinese labour to Britain to push wages down Trade unionists feared that employers might bring Chinese labour to Britain to push wages down Unemployment in Britain was high in why was the government turning to Chinese labour when there were so many unemployed? Unemployment in Britain was high in why was the government turning to Chinese labour when there were so many unemployed? It was a gift for Liberal politicians in turning British workers against the Conservatives. David Lloyd George said: It was a gift for Liberal politicians in turning British workers against the Conservatives. David Lloyd George said: “What would you say to introducing Chinamen at one shilling a day to the Welsh quarries?.... If they introduced them to one part of the Empire, why not to every part?” “What would you say to introducing Chinamen at one shilling a day to the Welsh quarries?.... If they introduced them to one part of the Empire, why not to every part?”

The Taff Vale Case 1902 – House of Lords declare that the Taff Vale Railway Company could sue the railway workers’ trade union for lost profits due to strike 1902 – House of Lords declare that the Taff Vale Railway Company could sue the railway workers’ trade union for lost profits due to strike Conservatives lost support amongst the working classes because they refused to overrule the decision. Conservatives lost support amongst the working classes because they refused to overrule the decision. Encouraged trade union support for the Labour or Liberal Party who promised to reverse the decision. Encouraged trade union support for the Labour or Liberal Party who promised to reverse the decision.

Neglect of social reform The Boer War exposed the malnutrition in the cities and led to concerns about the physical decline of the British race. The Boer War exposed the malnutrition in the cities and led to concerns about the physical decline of the British race. Reports by Booth and Rowntree also highlighted the extent of poverty in Britain’s cities. Reports by Booth and Rowntree also highlighted the extent of poverty in Britain’s cities. Some Liberals were planning a new form of Liberalism in which the state would play a role in ensuring minimum standards of living. Some Liberals were planning a new form of Liberalism in which the state would play a role in ensuring minimum standards of living. The Conservatives produced nothing other than the Education Act The Conservatives produced nothing other than the Education Act

Tariff Reform Chamberlain put forward his ideas for tariff reform in a public speech in Birmingham on 15 May Chamberlain put forward his ideas for tariff reform in a public speech in Birmingham on 15 May The Conservative Party split between those who supported him and those who clung to the idea of free trade (Winston Churchill defected) The Conservative Party split between those who supported him and those who clung to the idea of free trade (Winston Churchill defected) The Conservative government adopted tariff reform as its official programme. The Conservative government adopted tariff reform as its official programme. Working and middle classes feared that this would lead to rising prices and therefore falling living standards Working and middle classes feared that this would lead to rising prices and therefore falling living standards The Manchester Guardian, on 15 Jan 1906, wrote of the election in Lancashire “A candidate had only to be a Free Trader to get in, whether he was known or unknown... He had only to be a Protectionist to lose all chance of getting in though he spoke with tongues of men and angels The Manchester Guardian, on 15 Jan 1906, wrote of the election in Lancashire “A candidate had only to be a Free Trader to get in, whether he was known or unknown... He had only to be a Protectionist to lose all chance of getting in though he spoke with tongues of men and angels

Balfour Lacked political skill Lacked political skill Failed to show an awareness of public opinion (particularly the working classes) Failed to show an awareness of public opinion (particularly the working classes) Failed to foresee the problems of Chinese Labour and Taff Vale Case Failed to foresee the problems of Chinese Labour and Taff Vale Case Indecisive on tariffs Indecisive on tariffs Ends up allowing Chamberlain to make tariff reform a key policy Ends up allowing Chamberlain to make tariff reform a key policy Balfour was responsible for the Education Act. Balfour was responsible for the Education Act. Responsible for the timing of the election – they could have waited just under another 2 years. Responsible for the timing of the election – they could have waited just under another 2 years.

The Lib-Lab Pact Liberals wouldn’t oppose Labour in 30 constituencies Liberals wouldn’t oppose Labour in 30 constituencies Labour promised to limit their candidates in other constituencies to prevent an anti- Conservative split Labour promised to limit their candidates in other constituencies to prevent an anti- Conservative split Reduced Liberal election costs. Reduced Liberal election costs.

Attractions of the Liberal Party Reunited – disagreed with Education and Licensing Act and Tariff Reform Reunited – disagreed with Education and Licensing Act and Tariff Reform Issues that had divided them were not being discussed in the run up to the election Issues that had divided them were not being discussed in the run up to the election United under the banner of Free Trade (key issue in 1906 election – ‘bread and butter’ issue) United under the banner of Free Trade (key issue in 1906 election – ‘bread and butter’ issue) It was very clear to voters what the Liberal Party was against. But in 1906 it was far from clear what they stood for! It was very clear to voters what the Liberal Party was against. But in 1906 it was far from clear what they stood for!

Diamond 9 Activity Most important to least important

Some key points to help you make your mind up: Evidence from by-elections suggests Liberal support increased after the 1902 and 1904 Acts. Evidence from by-elections suggests Liberal support increased after the 1902 and 1904 Acts. 25 of the 30 constituencies chosen in the Lib- Lab pact went to Labour. 25 of the 30 constituencies chosen in the Lib- Lab pact went to Labour. 100% 98% 86% 78% 75% 69% 59% of speeches dealt with Taff Vale

The Liberal Party swept to power in 1906, with 399 seats to the Conservative Party’s 156. They were helped by: They were helped by: The failings of the Conservatives in the late 1890s and early 1900s that led to massive defection of voters The failings of the Conservatives in the late 1890s and early 1900s that led to massive defection of voters The Liberal Party’s ability to mobilise previously untapped support The Liberal Party’s ability to mobilise previously untapped support Turnout rose by 8% over that in the 1900 election the highest since 1885 Turnout rose by 8% over that in the 1900 election the highest since 1885 The existence of Labour candidates in constituencies where no Liberal was standing The existence of Labour candidates in constituencies where no Liberal was standing The abstention of many Conservative voters who could not bring themselves to vote and who could not support Balfour. The abstention of many Conservative voters who could not bring themselves to vote and who could not support Balfour. The voting system in this country – FIRST PAST THE POST rather than PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION The voting system in this country – FIRST PAST THE POST rather than PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION

Essay Question: Explain why the Liberals won a ‘landslide victory’ in the general election of 1906? Introduction – Show an understanding of what the landslide victory was and the debate around why it happened. Introduction – Show an understanding of what the landslide victory was and the debate around why it happened. How could you link the following into paragraphs? How could you link the following into paragraphs? Tariff Reform Tariff Reform Education Act Education Act Chinese slavery Chinese slavery Taff Vale Case Taff Vale Case Licensing Act Licensing Act Lack of Social Reform Lack of Social Reform Balfour’s leadership Balfour’s leadership Neglect of social reform Neglect of social reform ‘New Liberals’ proposing social reform ‘New Liberals’ proposing social reform Lib-Lab pact Lib-Lab pact Conclusion – most important factor. You could also comment on how the voting system makes the victory a ‘landslide’ even though the percentage of votes is much closer. Conclusion – most important factor. You could also comment on how the voting system makes the victory a ‘landslide’ even though the percentage of votes is much closer. One side of A4 TYPED = 500 words DUE IN MONDAY 22 nd SEPTEMBER