Social Reforms 1870-1900

In between the years of 1870-1900, Great Britain became more involved in continental Europe’s affairs rapidly expanding in its foreign policy such as the arms race against Germany and alliance with France, and domestic issues close at home with social reforms. One of the world’s most powerful empires saw a period of reform that gradually increased political democracy and improved economic and social conditions for all. Four types of reforms that were made included parliamentary reforms, workers’ rights, education, and social welfare.

William Gladstone was a liberal prime minister of Great Britain being a dominant political figure. In 1859, he joined the Liberals, becoming their leader in 1867 and the following year, Prime Minister (BBC, n.d.).

Under his leadership, Britain began passing a series of acts to help strengthen the political system. In 1872, the Secret Ballot Act was passed by Gladstone making voting secret and reduced the power of Landlords in determining the outcome of elections (Bloy, 2014). Typically elections were held in a public platform where a landlord or employer could see how a tenement or employee was voting and influence or intimidate them. With the passing of this act, bribery and intimidation were no longer detrimental factors hurting the polls (Board, n.d.). In 1884, the Reform Act gave the vote to poor farmers and laborers in the countryside and reorganized electoral areas. This act tripled the electorate and established the principle of “one man, one vote” to males over the age of 25 (Bloy, 2014).
Men’s voting power was rapidly increasing however women were not left behind either. Emmeline Pankhurst founded the Women’s Social and Political Union in Manchester in October 1903. Her followers, called “suffragettes”, taunted politicians, practiced civil disobedience, and were frequently arrested for starting riots. However in February 1918 women over the age of 30 received the right to vote and suffrage was made equal for everyone in 1928 (Grolier, n.d.).
Worker’s rights began to increase exponentially after the Industrial Revolution.

They were made legal in 1871 and given the write to strike. In 1875, they were permitted to peacefully picket their place of work when on strike, known as the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act (Bloy, 2014). The Industrial Revolution also created serious health problems and a number of measures were taken to alleviate the conditions of workers. The Public Health Act of 1872, set up Health Authorities throughout England. But due to lack of money the act was increased in 1875. The act stated that local councils must improve water supply and sewage systems, must appoint inspectors, improve standards of housing, fine for polluted rivers, improve working practice such as shorter hours, and provide food standards and checks on ingredients (Public Health Acts, 2015).

Education in England was greatly improved by laws that made basic education available to all children. The 1870 Education Act set up school districts. The Act allowed voluntary schools to remain unchanged, but established a system of school boards to build and manage schools in areas where they were needed (The 1870 Education Act, n.d.). By 1874, over 5,000 new schools had been founded. In 1880, education became compulsory up to age 10 and raised to age 12 in 1899 (Bloy,

2014).
Britain also became more involved with its foreign policy in Europe. Britain has always protected its naval superiority over any other European country. The backbone of the British Royal Navy’s Grand Fleet consisted of dozens of dreadnought battleships. The HMS Dreadnought, commissioned in 1906, was the latest in a line of warships that had carried the name since the 1500s. The name referred to a heavy overcoat worn in stormy weather, but the HMS Dreadnought was so revolutionary its name came to describe an entire class of battleships (Golson, 2014). There was plenty to hear says John Roberts of the Museum of Naval Firepower, "really transformed naval warfare rather like the tank did on land warfare. In fact Dreadnought was described at the time as 'the most deadly fighting machine ever launched in the history of the world'" (Edwards, 2014). These warships were built in order to counteract Germany’s increasing naval force and their U-boats. Both countries shared a mutual suspicion of each other and both rapidly accelerated their naval program. There was broad national support in Britain, the political and military leadership displayed a relentless determination to protect British naval mastery. In 1909, the People’s Budget, proposed by David Lloyd George, was passed which raised revenue through taxes and suggested that Britain was in a position to mobilize financial resources that were necessary in order to remain ahead of Germany (Bönker, 2015). This act was proven to be detrimental to the economy as it used money for Social Security programs to be spend on battleships (McKay, 2008).
In conclusion, the time period of 1870-1900 proved to be extremely positive on the common people of Britain including, workers, children, and women. Workers received new rights, children were given free, basic education, and women were given suffrage. However, affairs in foreign policy detracted from helping the people with Britain. Money was spent on huge battleships just so Britain could not lose its military prestige thus forwarding it soon into the Great War of 1914-1918.