1. Modern British History AS-Level Overview

2. The Exam Questions Look back at past few papers Always a question on foreign policy – usually related to Britain’s eventual entry into WW1 Always a question on change brought by war – role of women, increased state etc. 3 rd. Question (political change) is more variable – Liberal reforms, Unionist defeat, rise of Labour.

3. Overview of Main Developments These include: Reasons for the rise of a new Labour Party Unionist Party reforms and policies while in government under Balfour Reasons for Unionist defeat in 1906 The extent of Liberal victory

4. The Rise of Labour - Background The 1880s saw an increase in working- class militancy Reasons: Trade depression in 1870s and 80s; Low wages and large numbers of unemployed Poor Law was the only relief for most, and it was harshly applied

5. Reasons for Militancy (contd) Spread of elementary education made many working-class people more politically conscious. These factors were seen in a rise of strikes and demonstrations by the late 80s. New trade unions for unskilled workers were formed – industrially based (not craft) and more politically conscious

6. Trade Union Battles 1893 – Mine-owners imposed 10% wage reduction, and imposed a lock-out of 15 weeks; 1897 – Engineers defeated after a 30 week strike; Taff Vale Ruling (1901) – a railway company had to pay compensation of £23,000 to company for loss caused by strike.

7. Importance of Taff Vale This House of Lords ruling meant that any strike would be ruinous for a union. As well as furnishing strike pay for members, unions now liable to compensate losses of employers. Strike weapon effectively useless. Only Parliament could overturn this.

8. Taff Vale showed the need to get more working-class representatives into Parliament. New laws were also needed to alleviate working-class conditions – further need for more sympathetic MPs.

9. Working-Class Problems with Conservatives and Labour Conservatives were not well-disposed towards workers and had offered little help in the past (party of landowners and employers) Liberals were divided over social reform, had offered timid solutions, and had not encouraged more working-class representation in Parliament.

10. Labour Representation in Parliament There were various socialist groups in Britain at the end of the 19 th. Century: The Marxist Social Democratic Federation (revolutionary overthrow); Fabian Society – middle-class reformers committed to gradualist change; Trade Unions – remained Liberal Party supporters Radical wing of the Liberals (e.g. John Burns, one of the few working-class MPs – prominent in 1889 London Dockers’ Strike)

11. Independent Labour Party – formed from various local groups by Scottish miners’ leader Keir Hardie Hardie won election as MP for West Ham South in 1892 – far from his Scottish roots, it suggested the appeal to workers of a specifically working-class party.

12. Kier Hardie set out to unite the different socialist groups into one party. Trade Unions persuaded to join and in 1900 the Labour Representation Committee was set-up (although the revolutionary SDF refused to join).

13. Increasing Labour Representation 1900 – just two LRC members elected, one of them Hardie Taff Vale Case led to increased union backing, however, improving revenue. 1903 pact with Liberals – LRC given free run in some constituencies by Liberals. 1905 – Liberals and LRC agreed to support each others’ candidates. 1906 – 29 LRC MPs returned to Parliament – taking their seats as members of the Labour Party.

14. Unionists and Liberals 1895 election marked beginning of a 10 year Conservative dominance Liberal split over Home Rule had led to Conservative ranks being reinforced by key Liberals – especially Joseph Chamberlain. Chamberlain advocated a mix of Imperialism and Radicalism

15. Conservative lack of enthusiasm for radical reforms led to Imperialism being Chamberlain’s main focus. Conservatives became known as Unionist Party (to indicate support for the issue on which the Liberals had left their party).

16. Unionist Actions in Government. Limited social reform – Workmen’s Compensation Act (1897), giving compensation for injury at work; largely the work of Chamberlain. Salisbury focused on foreign affairs. Ireland – Land Purchase Act, enabling tenant- farmers to buy their farms with govt. money. Quarter of a million tenants took this up; went some way to ‘pacifying’ Ireland.

17. Education Act (1902), under Balfour – national system of secondary education. County Councils responsible for funding, aided by govt. grants. This Act was a major achievement in extending education, although some debate remains as to whether there should have been a stronger focus on providing ‘technical’, rather than ‘academic’, education.

18. Tariff Reform Deprived of the chance to generate social reform, Chamberlain advocated a plan for an Imperial Customs Union, supported by Tariff Reform. Chamberlain had taken post of Colonial Secretary. Reputation dented by Boer War His plan challenged Free Trade – an article of faith for Unionists as well as Liberals.

19. Chamberlain resigned from government to pursue his Tariff Reform campaign, which opened 1903. Import duties were proposed for non- Empire trade, to give imperial preference. Import duties would pay for social reforms at home, and development in the colonies, as well as Navy costs.

20. The scheme was designed by Chamberlain as the centrepiece for Conservative revival Instead, it contributed greatly to Conservative defeat. It allowed Liberals – split over reform and Imperialism – to rally around a call to protect ‘Free Trade’.

21. Why did the Tariff Reform idea Fail? 1. Big industries (iron and steel, cotton, coal) were flourishing under Free Trade 2. Danger of Tariffs increasing costs of living for many workers 3. Trade outside empire was greater than within 4. It created division within Unionist party – some left (incl. Churchill) for the Liberals. 5. Liberals could fight as united party, with effective fear campaign – big loaf, little loaf.

22. Why did the Conservatives lose the 1906 election? 1. Tariff Reform (unpopular policy/Unionist split) 2. ‘Chinese slavery’ scandal – related to poor treatment of imported Chinese labourers to Transvaal gold mines – exploited by Liberals. 3. Balfour’s ministry seemed tired and failed to deliver – or even consider - new social policies 4. Even Education Act alienated nonconformists, who disliked Church and Catholic schools being funded by govt.

23. How big was the Liberal victory? On the surface, it looked like a landslide: Liberals had 377 seats; Conservatives 157 (down from 402 in 1900); Labour 53; Irish Nationalists 83. Liberal share of vote, however, was just under 50%. Conservative vote stayed the same as in 1900 – the Liberal victory was generated by an increase in their vote amongst previous non-voters (Robert Blake) First-past-the-post system translated small Liberal majorities into substantial Liberal victory!

24. Further Revision Details of Conservative policies need checking; Tariff Reform debate should be understood – Chamberlain’s motivation, and its impact; Reasons for rise of Labour Party; Analysis of Liberal victory and what it meant – did it indicate a reinvigorated Liberal Party?