Britain 1850-1951
A study of the development of the United Kingdom into a modern democracy and the development of the role of the state in the welfare of its citizens, illustrating the themes of authority, ideology and rights.
Issues
1. An evaluation of the reasons why Britain became more democratic, 1851-1928.
The effects of industrialisation and urbanisation; popular attempts to gain the franchise; pressure groups; effects of other social reforms; examples of developments abroad; party advantage.
2. An assessment of how democratic Britain became, 1867-1928.
The widening of the franchise, 1867-1928; other measures relating to the distribution of seats, corruption and intimidation; widening membership of the House of Commons; the role of the House of Lords.
3. An evaluation of the reasons why women won greater political equality by 1928.
The women’s suffrage campaigns; the militant Suffragette campaign up to 1914; the part played by women in the war effort, 1914-18; the example of other countries.
4. An evaluation of the reasons why the Liberals introduced social welfare reforms, 1906-1914.
The social surveys of Booth and Rowntree; the failure of laissez-faire; municipal socialism; foreign examples; national efficiency; the rise of the New Liberalism; party advantage and the rise of Labour.
5. An assessment of the effectiveness of the Liberal social welfare reforms.
The aims of the Liberal Reforms; the extent to which the Liberal Reforms met these and the needs of the British people.
6. An assessment of the effectiveness of the Labour social welfare reforms, 1945-1951.
The aims of the Welfare State; the extent to which the Labour Reforms met these and the needs of the British people.
