UNIT 1 (Yr12): POLITICS, PEOPLE AND PROGRESS IN WALES AND ENGLAND c.1880-1980 C&P2 – THE CHANGING POSITION OF POLITICAL PARTIES 1880-1951 Reason The Boer War (18991902) Taff Vale (19011902) The Educatio n Act (1902) The Licencing Act (1904) Why did the Liberals win the 1906 election? Evidence *In the short term (e.g. victory in the 1900 election) the Boer War benefited the Conservatives due patriotism but also because the war had split the Liberals (some were for/some were against). *However, as the war dragged on, causing national humiliation, the war became unpopular with the electorate. *News of how the British mistreated enemy prisoners of war in concentration camps became public knowledge, causing moral outrage against the Conservatives. *The war revealed the extreme poverty of urban areas and the need for social reform. The Liberals offered solutions to these social problems, claiming the Conservatives would continue to ignore social reform. *Once the war ended, the Liberals were able to heal their divisions and offer an alternative to the Conservatives. *In 1901 a dispute between the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants (trade union) and the owners of the Taff Vale Railway Company erupted over wages. *As the strike wore on, the owners employed replacement staff, but the strikers reacted by sabotaging company property, greasing the tracks and uncoupling carriages etc. *The bosses reluctantly agreed to compromise with the strikers and the dispute ended. However, the Taff Vale Co decided to sue the ASRS for the cost and damages caused. *In 1902, the dispute on whether or not the ASRS should pay compensation was taken to the House of Lords (dominated by Conservatives). The Lords decided that the ASRS was liable and had to pay £42,000 compensation to the Taff Vale Railway. *The Lords’ decision set a precedent as trade unions realised that the power of striking had now been nullified by the possibility of having to pay their bosses for damages and losses. *The trade unions then campaigned against the Conservatives in the 1906 election, encouraging workers to vote Labour (or Liberal), and thus reducing Conservative support. *The 1902 Education Act had angered Non-Conformists as it allowed Anglican and Catholic schools to be funded by the government (via taxation). Most Non-Conformists were traditionally Liberal supporters but had voted for the Unionist government over the issue of Home Rule. The Education Act was enough to make many vote Liberal again. *The Liberals took advantage of this, and were able to attract support via a campaign against the Act, e.g. Lloyd George skilfully took advantage of NonConformist opposition to such an extent that the Conservatives failed to win a parliamentary seat in Wales in 1906. *The Licensing Act of 1904 aimed at reducing the number of public houses, but it infuriated the temperance section of the Non-Conformist movement (many of who were women) by compensating the brewers for losing their licenses (funded by the taxpayer). *The Licensing Act (and the Education Act) revived the Liberal Party after its divisions over the Boer War, and so laid the basis for their success in 1906. Stepping Stones to Office A cartoon illustrating the problems facing the Conservatives before 1906. It also shows how the Liberal leader (CampbellBannerman) was able to take advantage of these problems and become PM. Which problems are being referred to in this cartoon? UNIT 1 (Yr12): POLITICS, PEOPLE AND PROGRESS IN WALES AND ENGLAND c.1880-1980 C&P2 – THE CHANGING POSITION OF POLITICAL PARTIES 1880-1951 . Chinese Labour Scandal (19021904) *The Boer War had damaged the economy of South Africa. The Unionist government tackled this by importing 60,000 Chinese labourers to help rebuild the economy and get the regions’ rich gold mines active again. However, news broke that the Chinese were mistreated by British governors in S.A, and were paid poor wages. The Conservatives were morally wrong for allowing this to happen. *The issue of Chinese labour caused another issue for the Conservatives as British Trade Unions spread fears that the government was planning on bringing Chinese labourers to Britain. British workers would then lose their jobs, and the wages of those in work would be lowered. *Such scare mongering damaged the Conservative chances of victory. . *In 1903, Joseph Chamberlain launched the idea of placing tariffs (taxes) on goods imported from countries that weren’t part of the British Empire. Goods Tariff imported to Britain from within the Empire would also be taxed, but at a much Reform: lower rate (Imperial Protectionism.) to end *Chamberlain argued this would protect British jobs, fund any reforms (e.g. Free Trade Education Act) and strengthen Britain’s position in the world by integrating the and bring Empire into a far more effective economic unit. in *Tariff Reform, however, caused a split amongst the Conservatives as some Protection strongly supported the policy of Free Trade, fearful that tariffs would lead to ism rising prices and a fall in living standards. (1903*The Liberals were able to take advantage of the Conservative split – the vast 1906) majority of them strongly believed in Free Trade, and skilfully played on people’s fears of the consequences of Tariff Reform. *Balfour’s performance as PM did not help the Conservatives. *Although highly intelligent, he lacked political skill, wasn’t in tune with public opinion, and failed to provide party leadership over Tariff Reform. The Balfour also seriously miscalculated the reaction of the working classes on key Leadershi issues, e.g. he refused to reverse the verdict on the Taff Vale case, and did not p of deal with the uproar over Chinese Labour. Arthur *It was Balfour’s unusual decision to inform the King that his government Balfour would step down in Dec. 1905 that caused the need for an election in 1906 (1902(he could have legitimately stayed in power until 1907). 1905) *This decision and poor timing whilst the Conservatives were split over Tariff Reform etc. possibly aided the Liberal victory. . . Attraction s of the Liberal Party *By the 1905, the Liberals were a far more united party as previous causes for division (e.g. Home Rule) were put to one side. *The Liberals were united in support for Free Trade. *The Liberals skilfully exploited Conservative weaknesses. *The Liberals also exploited the reaction of Non-Conformists over issues such as the Education (1902) and Licensing (1904) Acts. *The Liberals supported State Help rather than the traditional laissez-faire policy of the Conservatives with regards to social reform. Lib-Lab Pact (1903) *The Liberals forged an agreement with the Labour Party, whereby the Liberals would not oppose Labour candidates in 30 selected constituencies where Labour candidates were more likely to beat the Conservatives. Labour promised to do the same for the Liberals. *Liberals and Labour agreed on many issues and campaigned jointly on policies such as education and social reform. *This helped the Liberals to weaken the Conservatives’ prospects. UNIT 1 (Yr12): POLITICS, PEOPLE AND PROGRESS IN WALES AND ENGLAND c.1880-1980 C&P2 – THE CHANGING POSITION OF POLITICAL PARTIES 1880-1951 Why did the Liberal Party win the 1906 election? Comment on this picture with your knowledge and understanding.
