Why did the liberals pass their social

reforms.Essay Question

Why did the liberals pass their social reforms?

• Failure of Laissez Faire• Surveys of Booth and Rowntree• Fear of Socialism and labour party.• New Liberalism.• Social Darwinism & Boer War.• Social Darwinism & industry• GermanyIf the question is about Britain’s world

position start from Social Darwinism & Boer War

Introduction.

First put the issue in context with a couple of sentences to show how liberals had a massive majority. Next, list your paragraphs in the order that you will argue. Make sure that your links make it two major arguments rather than just a list.

Historiography.

This paragraph shows that it is still a live argument and that different Historians have different views. If possible try to quote a couple of them. Do not go overboard – a few lines on this is enough.

Laissez Faire.

Main idea is that government does not involve itself in people’s lives. It is up to them to compete. If you fail to compete it is a personal moral failing in you. Minimum help available. Poor Law – hated charity – swamped by scale.No real evidence of scale of problem

Booth and Rowntree.Booth. London only. Key point -statistical so can’t be discredited – class system - finds 30.7% in poverty.Government say London is exceptional.

Rowntree. Similar exercise in York – 28% poverty – use Rowntree’s quote as evidence – 21/8d minimum level for a family per week - finds people fall into poverty at same stages of their lives so not moral failings – national problem.

Labour and Socialism.Labour Party. Working class party from 1900 – after 1884 many working class men have vote so competition for votes. Evidence:- 2 seats in 1900, 29 by 1906, 42 by 1910.Socialism. Fear of Marxist ideas leading to a revolution as well as parliamentary arguments. Likely to be a violent revolution.

New LiberalsMunicipal Socialism. Many liberal local councils dealing with poverty in cities and having to intervene with a collectivist approach.Evidence Joseph Chamberlain and Birmingham. New Liberals. Small but influential group who rethink LiberalismIf liberalism suggests right to make own life choices and some people can’t no matter how hard they work there is a case for helping deserving poor only.

Social DarwinismPerversion of Darwin’s theory. Societies will flourish or wither based on the quality of the people. Shows itself in our ability to protect the Empire in times of war and to compete industrially in times of peace.

National SecurityBoer War against South African farmers – no regular army – only about 16000 in the field at any one time – takes Britain 3 years to win with 400000 men – blamed on the quality of the soldiers. Evidence 11000 men volunteer in Manchester – 8000 rejected.Key point if we fight a stronger enemy will we win.

National EfficiencyIndustrial performance slipping. Britain moved from world leader to one of a group. Blamed on the quality of the workers. Quote world trade figures. Overtaken by Germany – again social Darwinist fears.

GermanyA new nation since 1871. Overtaken Britain in trade by early 20th century. Has a large army – wants an empire – building a navy – alliance system complete that led to World War One so it looks like we may have to fight Germany.Key point The Germans have a social policy and it is making them more efficient if we don’t catch up we could lose next war. Evidence. Lloyd George goes to Germany to study their system.

Conclusion.Sum up the arguments and come to a final decision.They might have done it for political reasons. To keep Labour out and prevent a possible revolution.They might have done it because Booth and Rowntree proved scale and causes of poverty and government couldn’t hide it any longerThey might have done it to protect Britain’s position as a world power.