4.2.4
Social Changes in the Early 20th Century
The Importance of Booth and Rowntree - Poverty
The Importance of Booth and Rowntree - Poverty
Before the 20th century, the British working classes suffered from poor living conditions. Overcrowding and unsanitary housing was a problem for the working classes living in poverty.
The Welfare State
The Welfare State
- In the 20th century, the government began to change their policy from ‘laissez faire’ to the creation of a welfare state.
- This was influenced by the reports of Charles Booth and Seebohm Rowntree.
Charles Booth
Charles Booth
- Booth investigated living conditions in London in his 1889 report “Life about Labour of the People in London”
- He discovered that 30% of the London population lived in poverty, despite having jobs. Some wages were so low that people couldn’t afford to live.
- He showed that poverty was linked to the nation’s high death rate.
- He highlighted that there was a poverty life-cycle. This meant that people’s economic status could fluctuate during their life.
Seebohm Rowntree
Seebohm Rowntree
- Rowntree was a factory owner in York. He investigated the living conditions in York in 1901.
- Rowntree invented the term ‘poverty line’. This meant the minimum amount of money a person needed to earn to stay out of poverty.
- He estimated that at 28% of the city’s population, at some point in their life, were below the poverty line.
The Boer War
The Boer War
- The Boer War was fought between Britain and the Boers (Dutch settlers) in South Africa.
- In 1899, when it started, over a third of volunteers to join the army were unfit for service.
- Lots of people had illnesses that were linked to poverty and poor living conditions.
- A governmental committee discovered that many men were unfit for service because they led unhealthy lives.
Liberal Social Reforms
Liberal Social Reforms
Booth, Rowntree and the Boer War all showed that public health could be improved. The Liberal Party, led by David Lloyd George took action from 1906. The Labour party was founded in 1900 and the Liberals wanted to keep the support of the working classes.
Industrial rivalry
Industrial rivalry
- Politicians were also anxious to improve public health as they feared it was causing a decline in Britain’s industrial power.
- For example, Germany had greater industrial strength and had passed social reforms to help workers.
Liberal Party reforms 1906-1907
Liberal Party reforms 1906-1907
- In 1906, they provided free school meals for poor children.
- In 1907, a medical service for school children were established. This gave children free inspections and later free treatment.
Liberal Party reforms 1908-1911
Liberal Party reforms 1908-1911
- In 1908 the government passed the Children and Young Person’s Act. This meant that children were protected in the eyes of the law against parental neglect and abuse.
- In 1908, Old Age Pensions were introduced for the elderly, supported by taxes.
- In 1909, the first job centres (labour exchanges) were created.
- In 1911, The National Insurance Act was introduced. This provided unemployment benefits, free medical treatment and sick pay.
Impact of the reforms
Impact of the reforms
- These reforms improved the living conditions of the poor, the unemployed, the elderly and the young.
- Improving quality of nutrition and living conditions was a big preventative step in stopping people becoming ill.
1Medicine in Medieval England
1.1Ideas about the Cause of Disease & Illness
1.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
2The Medical Renaissance in England
2.1Ideas about the Cause of Disease & Illness
2.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
3Medicine in 18th & 19th Century Britain
3.1Ideas about the Cause of Disease & Illness
3.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
4Medicine in Modern Britain
4.1Modern Understanding of Disease
4.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
5Treatment in WW1
6Themes in Medicine
7Some Extra Context (Not Compulsory for Exam)
7.1Medieval Medicine
Jump to other topics
1Medicine in Medieval England
1.1Ideas about the Cause of Disease & Illness
1.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
2The Medical Renaissance in England
2.1Ideas about the Cause of Disease & Illness
2.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
3Medicine in 18th & 19th Century Britain
3.1Ideas about the Cause of Disease & Illness
3.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
4Medicine in Modern Britain
4.1Modern Understanding of Disease
4.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
5Treatment in WW1
6Themes in Medicine
7Some Extra Context (Not Compulsory for Exam)
7.1Medieval Medicine
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