GCSE Liberal Reforms 1890-1918: Sourcework
This GCSE module is from the OCR exam specification. It uses sources to allow pupils to investigate the changes brought about at the start of the 20th Century.
At the turn of the last century the Liberal government, led by H.H. Asquith, made sweeping changes that tried to improve the lives of the working classes in the country. These reforms were the brainchild of David Lloyd George and Winston Churchill. They were influenced by reports by Seebohm Rowntree and Charles Booth showing the plight of the poor in Britain. They were also influenced by the rise of the Labour Party, the rise of Germany and the poor quality soldiers in the Boer War.
The main reforms were as follows:
1906 - Free School Meals Act
1908 - Children and Young Person's Act - 'Children's Charter'
1908 - Old Age Pensions Act
1909 - Labour Exchanges Act
1911 - National Insurance Act Part 1
1912 - National Insurance Act Part 2
These reforms were not without problems. The Conservatives did not like the reforms and they did not think the poor were deserving enough for these reforms and believed in self-reliance. Due to strong objections to the People's Budget in 1909 David Lloyd George had to force through the Parliament Act in 1911 to stop the House of Lords blocking legislation after three readings.
Though the Liberal Reforms did not solve all the problems the poor had to face at the start of the 20th Century they were a start and, some historians have argued, were the start of the Welfare State.
At the turn of the last century the Liberal government, led by H.H. Asquith, made sweeping changes that tried to improve the lives of the working classes in the country. These reforms were the brainchild of David Lloyd George and Winston Churchill. They were influenced by reports by Seebohm Rowntree and Charles Booth showing the plight of the poor in Britain. They were also influenced by the rise of the Labour Party, the rise of Germany and the poor quality soldiers in the Boer War.
The main reforms were as follows:
1906 - Free School Meals Act
1908 - Children and Young Person's Act - 'Children's Charter'
1908 - Old Age Pensions Act
1909 - Labour Exchanges Act
1911 - National Insurance Act Part 1
1912 - National Insurance Act Part 2
These reforms were not without problems. The Conservatives did not like the reforms and they did not think the poor were deserving enough for these reforms and believed in self-reliance. Due to strong objections to the People's Budget in 1909 David Lloyd George had to force through the Parliament Act in 1911 to stop the House of Lords blocking legislation after three readings.
Though the Liberal Reforms did not solve all the problems the poor had to face at the start of the 20th Century they were a start and, some historians have argued, were the start of the Welfare State.
Scheme of Work - Year 11 Mixed Ability
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Resources
GCSE BItesize Revision http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh/ britain/liberalreformsrev1.shtml |