BRITAIN AND THE LIBERAL PARTY

WHY WERE THE LIBERAL REFORMS INTRODUCED?

SOURCE A SOURCE B


A Punch cartoon published in 1909. A Punch cartoon published in 1909.

The caption reads: The caption reads:

‘The Philanthropic Highwayman ‘The Giant Lloyd-Gorgibuster –

Mr. Lloyd George: Fee Fi Fo Fat,

“I’ll make ‘em pity the aged poor.” I smell the blood of a plutocrat,

Be he alive or be he dead,

I’ll grind his bones to make my bread.’

SOURCE C

Decision makers were aware of the welfare legislation that had been passed in Germany. There was widespread discussion of . . . the low level of health among military volunteers at the time of the Boer War. The desire to rescue and elevate the poor came not only from those conscious of the injustice and waste of individual poverty, but also from people who were anxious to raise and strengthen the British ‘race’.

From a history book published in 1997

SOURCE D

What are the real causes of poverty among the industrial classes? Old age, bad health, the death of the breadwinner and unemployment due either to the running down of industries or to the depressions in trade. When Bismarck was strengthening the German Empire, one of his first tasks was to set up a scheme which insured German workers and their families against the worst evils arising from the accidents of life. And a superb scheme it is. It has saved a huge amount of human misery among thousands of people.

Lloyd George speaking in 1890

SOURCE E

Nothing wearies more than walking about hunting for employment which is not to be had. It is far harder than real work. The uncertainty, the despair, when you reach a place only to discover that the journey is fruitless. I’ve known a man to say: “Which way shall I go today?” Having no earthly idea which way to take, he tosses up a button. If the button comes down on one side he treks east; if on the other, he treks west.

Written by William Crooks, a working man who later became a Labour MP.

SOURCE F

The legislation was hardly revolutionary. The state pension was free but not universal [for everyone]. Only around half a million of the oldest, poorest and most sober elderly people obtained a pension which was less than a bare subsistence [survival] income.

From a history book published in 1997

SOURCE G

A cartoon from a Liberal Party leaflet published in 1909.

SOURCE H

A photo of elderly people collecting their pensions at a London post office on 1 January 1909.

Study the Sources carefully. You are advised to spend at least ten minutes doing this and then answer ALL the questions.

In answering the questions, you will need to use your knowledge of the topic to interpret and evaluate the Sources. When you are asked to use specific Sources you must do so, but you can also use any of the other Sources if they are relevant.

1  Study Source A.

Why was this cartoon published in Britain in 1909?

Use the Source and your knowledge to explain your answer. [6]

2  Study Sources A and B.

Is one cartoon more useful than the other to an historian studying Liberal Reform?

Use the Sources and your knowledge to explain your answer. [8]

3 Study Sources C and D.

To what extent do these two sources disagree about the reason why reform was necessary?

Use the Sources to explain your answer. [6]

4  Study Sources E and F.

Is one Source more reliable than the other regarding attitudes towards Liberal Reform?

Use the Sources and your knowledge to explain your answer. [9]

5  Study Sources G and H.

Why do you think these two Sources give different views on the Old Age Pension Act of 1909?

Use the Sources and your knowledge to explain your answer. [9]

6  Study all the Sources.

‘The Liberal Reforms of 1906-1914 were passed to relieve social distress within the British nation.’

How far do the Sources in this paper support this view?

Use the Sources and your own knowledge to explain your answer. [12]