1. What was the first constitutional crisis, 1909- 1910? L/O To understand what is meant by the term “a constitutional crisis” To understand why the Budget caused a constitutional crisis To be able to describe the events of the first constitutional crisis To understand the events and consequences of the Second Constitutional Crisis

2. Starter: In pairs, define what is meant by a constitutional crisis

3. A constitutional crisis = A constitutional crisis is a severe breakdown in the orderly operation of government. In this case there is a constitutional crisis because the House of Lords refuses to accept the Liberal Budget of 1909 – this was the first ever time that the House of Lords had used their power to veto/reject a Budget and without money a government cannot run the country.

4. Background Between 1909-11 there occurred perhaps the greatest constitutional crisis of the 20 th century. The issue was the power of the House of Lords. Should the Conservative-dominated House of Lords have the right to overrule the Liberal-dominated House of Commons?

5. Lloyd George Quotes “The House of Lords is not the watchdog of the constitution; it is Mr Balfour’s poodle. It fetches and carries for him. It barks for him. It bites anyone that he sets it on to.” Speech in the House of Commons (21 December 1908)

6. Lloyd George Quotes “ This, Mr. Emmot, is a war Budget. It is for raising money to wage implacable warfare against poverty and squalidness. I cannot help hoping and believing that before this generation has passed away, we shall have advanced a great step towards that good time, when poverty, and the wretchedness and human degradation which always follows in its camp, will be as remote to the people of this country as the wolves which once infested its forests.” Budget speech (29 April 1909)

7. Lloyd George Quotes “ The Landlord is a gentleman... who does not earn his wealth. He has a host of agents and clerks that receive for him. He does not even take the trouble to spend his wealth. He has a host of people around him to do the actual spending. He never sees it until he comes to enjoy it. His sole function, his chief pride, is the stately consumption of wealth produced by others.” Speech, Limehouse (30 July 1909)

8. Lloyd George Quotes “ The question will be asked whether five hundred men, ordinary men, chosen accidentally from among the unemployed, should override the judgment of millions of people who are engaged in the industry which makes the wealth of the country.” On the peers of the House of Lords, in a speech in Newcastle (9 October 1909)

9. What happened during the second Constitutional Crisis?

10. Put these events in the correct order (Use pages 27-29 to help you) Arthur Balfour resigns. The December 1910 election. Edward VII dies. The Commons passes the Parliament Bill. The Liberals produce the Parliament Bill. The Constitutional Conference is held. The Parliament Act became law. Asquith asks King Edward VII to create more Liberal peers.

11. Events of the Second Crisis 1)The Liberals produce the Parliament Bill. 2)Asquith asks King Edward VII to create more Liberal peers. 3)Edward VII dies. 4)The Constitutional Conference is held. 5)The December 1910 election. 6)The Commons passes the Parliament Bill. 7)The Parliament Act became law. 8)Arthur Balfour resigns.

12. World Crisis or British Crisis? To some the crises in Britain between the end of the 19 th century and WWI were part of a wider global crisis. This is because it fitted in with the broad Marxist theory of the time. How?

14. Class war had been predicted by Marx. He thought that the inequalities produced by capitalism would bring about rapid social change and to some this seemed to be happening in Europe and America. Counter-argument: 1) Does not bear close examination. The British workers wanted better working conditions and more equitable pay not revolution. 2) Each country had its own unique problems not able therefore to be simplified as class war.

15. Crises for the Liberal Government 1911-1914 1) Lords Vs Commons 2) Suffragettes 3) Industrial Strife 4) The Ulster Crisis

16. Task You have this lesson to create a poster presentation on one of three areas in the period up to 1914. 1. Industrial unrest 1911-14 2. The suffragette movement to 1914 3. The Ulster crisis 4. The constitutional crisis

17. A poster presentation? The purpose of poster presentations is not to have page upon page of information. If you are presenting your poster at a conference or convention, you would have limited space. The space you are allowed will determine the content of the poster. In this case you can have one A3 sheet per group member.

18. Is there a standard format? Make full use of the space, but do not cramp a page full of information as the result can often appear messy. Be concise and do not waffle. Use only pertinent information to convey your message. Be selective when showing results. Present only those that illustrate the main findings of the project. However, do keep other information handy so that you may refer to them when asked Use colours sparingly and with taste colours should be used only to emphasise, differentiate and to add interest. Do not use colours just to impress!

19. What do I include? A Title page, telling others the title of the project, the people involved in the work- this is essential for assessment this should also include a 'taster' or preface of the research. B Summary of the investigation stating what you have set out to do, how you have done it, the key findings and the main results. C an Introduction that should include clear statements about the problem that you are trying to solve/ area you are investigating, what are trying to establish. Where did you get your information from? D Main body of work – explain your findings, use quotes/ diagrams/figures/ E Conclusion section, listing the main findings of your investigation.

20. Presenting your poster If you work as a team and create a good poster you should be able to nominate one or two members of your group to explain your research, but make sure your group is ready with more information if required. Each group will present their posters on Monday. Failure to complete the task will result in a demerit and detention.

24. Overall interpretation of the Liberal Government 1911-1914? In 'The Strange Death of Liberal England' (Dangerfield, 1934) it is argued that Britain entered a period of political strife that the Liberal party could not cope. Why? Because a new era of class politics had been entered into and the liberal party could not cope with this political warfare. It is argued that the Liberal Party died out after WWI as a result of these new problems.

25. Opposing View 1)Liberals still in power by 1914. 2)All challenges to their power had been overcome. 3)Difficult legislation had made it through parliament, e.g 'People's Budget'. 4)Asquith's cabinet had remained united. 5)Liberals maintained their support in the industrial areas of England. 6)The Labour party had made no serious inroads.