-
Period: to
Irish potato famine
Causes mass death in Ireland.
Causes mass emigration to UK and America. -
Repeal of the Corn Laws
By Peel.
Lowers grain prices. -
Great Exhibition
International showcase of industry, technology and culture.
Held in the Crystal Palace "workshop of the world".
Highlights UK's economic dominance. -
Period: to
Whig government
Under Lord John Russell. -
Period: to
Conservative government
Under Lord Derby. -
Period: to
Peelite government
Under the Earl of Aberdeen. -
Florence Nightingale
Revolutionised nursing by improving hospital conditions.
Led to public health reforms. -
Period: to
Crimean War
Russia vs Ottoman Empire (UK + France + Turkey).
First war using modern technology.
Gladstone ensured spending didn't result in financial instability.
War exposed corruption and inefficiency in the government. -
Period: to
Whig government
Under Palmerston. -
Period: to
Conservative government
Under Lord Derby. -
"Self Help" published
By Samuel Smiles.
Talked about deserving of misery if you are poor. -
Period: to
Liberal government
Under Palmerston. -
Cobden Chevalier Treaty
By Richard Cobden.
Reduced tariffs on textiles and french wine.
Promotes free trade. -
Period: to
American Civil War (cotton famine)
Disrupts Britain's cotton industry.
John Bright supports free trade and non-intervention in civil war. -
Contagious Diseases Act
Allowed police to arrest women suspected of prostitution.
Aimed to reduce venereal disease.
Many protests by women against this, led by Josephine Butler. -
Period: to
Liberal government
Under John Russell -
Period: to
Conservative government
Under Derby. -
Second Reform Act
By Disraeli.
Enfranchised:
- urben working class men
Strengthened political voice of industrial workers.
Passed by conservatives to gain more support. -
First Trade Union Congress
In Manchester.
Trade unions petitioned for legal recognition. -
Period: to
Liberal government
Under Gladstone. -
Period: to
Conservative government
Under Disraeli. -
Women's College at Cambridge
Key figure: Emily Davies (education reformer).
First higher education institution in Britain.
Key step towards gender equality. -
Irish Church Act
By Gladstone.
Disestablishes Anglican church in Ireland.
Reduces discrimination against catholics. -
Education Act (Forster's Act)
By W. E. Forster (liberal MP).
State-funded primary schools.
Education compulsory for ages 5-10. -
Trade Union Act
Legalised trade unions, giving workers the right to strike.
Beginning of state recognition of working class rights. -
Secret Ballot Act
By Gladstone (liberal PM).
Votes cast privately, reducing bribery.
Strengthened democratic integrity in Britain. -
Criminal Law Amendment Act
Makes it difficult to strike because of picketing. -
Home Rule founded
By Isaac Butt -
Period: to
Long Depression
Falling prices and competition against Germany.
Gladstone committed to free trade during economic challenges.
Joseph Chamberlain advocates for tariff reform. -
Artisans Dwelling Act
Attempt at slum clearance.
Replaces Criminal Law Amendment Act. -
Period: to
Conservative government
Under Disraeli.
"ministry of sewage".
One-nation conservatism. -
Public Health Act
Local authorities maintain clean water.
Sanitation reduces disease.
First government intervention in public health. -
Sale of Food and Drugs Act
By Disraeli.
Regulated food safety standards.
Reduced sale of contaminated food and medicine. -
Royal Titles Act
Queen Victoria proclaimed empress of India to strengthen British control over India. -
Factory and Workshop Act
By Disraeli.
- Banned children under 10 working in factories.
- Limited women's working hours. -
Collapse City of Glasgow Bank
Financial instability in Scotland.
Underscores need for stricter banking regulations. -
Agricultural depression
Farmers face economic challenges.
Massive migration to cities.
Creates overpopulation in cities.
Disraeli criticizes Gladstone's want for free trade during challenges. -
Creation Land League
By Davitt.
To secure land reform. -
Period: to
Liberal government
Under Gladstone. -
Creation Fair Trade League
Response to commitment to free trade amidst rising foreign competition.
Joseph Chamberlain advocated protectionism, although he doesn't join the league. -
Irish Land Act
By Gladstone and Parnell.
To reduce tenant exploitation. -
First Irish Home Rule Bill
Rejected.
Proposed by Gladstone.
Creates split in the liberal party:
- unionists (led by Joseph Chamberlain)
- others join the conservatives under Salisbury -
Phoenix Park Murders
In response to Gladstone's Home Rule initiative. -
Corrupt and Illegal Practices Act
Criminalised bribery and intimidations in elections.
Strengthened British democracy. -
Third Reform Act
Enfranchised:
- rural workers
Brings the local electorate to 5.5 million. -
Redistribution of Seats Act
Created equal-sized constituencies, removing unfair advantages for rural areas. -
Period: to
Conservative government
Under Salisbury.
Minority government after liberal party after their split over Home Rule. -
Rejection Fair Trade movement
Still support free trade, despite rising calls for protectionist policies.
Joseph Chamberlain becomes prominent voice for protectionism after 1886. -
Period: to
Liberal government
Under Gladstone. -
Period: to
Conservative government
Under Salisbury. -
Coercion Act
By Arthur Balfour "Bloody Balfour" (Irish secretary).
In Ireland due to the jubilee riots and growing tensions.
Deepend resentment among Irish nationalists. -
Matchgirls' Strike
Led by Annie Besant.
Workers at Bryant and May match factory protest against low wages and dangerous phosphurus fumes. -
Second Home Rule Bill
By Gladstone.
Passed by commons but rejected in lords.
Highlights the power of lords to reject legislation.
Means the resignation of Gladstone, replaced by Rosebery. -
Period: to
Liberal government
Under Gladstone. -
Formation Independant Labour Party
Under Keir Hardie (first labour MP).
Working class interests in parliament.
Challenges the dominance of liberals and conservatives. -
Creation ILP
Independent Labour Party.
By Keir Hardie.
Advocates workers' rights, addresses economic inequality, unemployment and working conditions.
Slowly leaving Laissez-Faire economics. -
Local Government Act
Allowed women to only vote in local elections. -
Period: to
Liberal government
Under Rosebery. -
Period: to
Conservative government
Under Salisbury. -
Agricultural depression
Rural landowners lobby for protectionist policies.
Struggle against cheap grain imports.
Divide between agriculture and industry. -
NUWSS
National Union of Women's Suffrage Socities.
Led by Millicent Fawcett.
Peaceful campaign for women's voting rights. -
Period: to
Second Boer War
UK fights against South Africa.
They use concentration camps which damage their reputation.
Highlights social inequalities and exposed Britain's imperial overreach. -
Labour representation committee
Predecessor to labour party.
Aimed to secure parliamentary representation for trade unions and socialists. -
Creation LRC
Labour Representation Committee.
By Keir Hardie + Arthur Henderson.
Aims to secure political representation for workers.
Later evolves into labour party. -
Taff Vale Case
States that trade unions are liable for any losses caused by strikes.
Led to an increase in labour support. -
Education Act
By Arthur Balfour (PM).
Reforms secondary education, funded by local authorities. -
Period: to
Conservative government
Under Balfour. -
Lib-Lab Pact
Liberals agree to not oppose labour candidates in come constituencies.
Allows labour to win more seats in parliament. -
Tariff reform campaign
By Joseph Chamberlain (colonial secretary).
Imposes tariffs on imports.
Divides conservative party and contributes to their electoral defeat in 1906. -
WSPU
Women's Social and Political Union.
Led by the Pankhurst family.
Radical tactics to demand votes for women. -
Period: to
Liberal government
Under Campbell-Bannerman. -
Liberal welfare reforms
Under Campbell-Bannerman.
Liberals introduce social reforms like free school meals to takle poverty. -
Liberal landslide victory
Campbell-Bannerman + DLG + Winston Churchill.
Focus on working conditions and tackling poverty.
Begins Britain's shift towards social welfare policies. -
Old Age Pensions Act
By DLG (chancellor of the exchequer).
Provided state pensions for people over 70 with low incomes.
Funded through taxation.
First steps towards welfare state. -
Period: to
Liberal government
Under Asquith. -
People's Budget
By DLG.
Proposed higher taxes on wealthy to fund welfare programs.
Led to a political crisis in the House of Lords.
Led to the 1911 Parliament Act. -
Hunger strikes
By suffragettes.
Imprisoned suffragettes went on a hunger strike.
Government introduced force-feeding policies. -
Period: to
Industrial Unrest
Trade unions + Keir Hardie + Tom Mann mobilise workers.
Strikes escalate across the coal mining, transport and docks industries.
Reflects economic dissatisfaction among workers and limits Laissez-Faire policies. -
National Insurance Act
Unemployment and sickness benefits for workers.
Funded through worker, employer and government contributions.
Lays foundations for welfare state. -
Parliament Act
Limited power of the lords to block legislation.
Can only delay legislation twice.
Strengthened democracy by making the commons dominant. -
Cat and Mouse Act
Allowed government to release suffragettes that went on hunger strikes temporarily until they recovered, then re-arrested them. -
Emily Davidson's suicide
Emily Davidson throws herself in front of King George V's horse, in protest for suffragettes. -
WW1 begins
Asquith (liberal PM) + Churchill (1st Lord of the Admiralty) + DLG (chancellor of the exchequer).
Wartime coalition government.
Women enter workforce when men leave to fight.
Society shifts towards total war. -
Third Home Rule Bill
Delayed twice by the lords.
Was largely opposed by Ulster protestants. -
Defence of the Realm Act
Gives government extra power during war. -
Period: to
WW1
Churchill:
managed naval resources + blockades.
DLG: oversaw economy and coordinated industry.
Introduction of massive debt towards the USA. -
Munitions crisis
Shortages in munitions led to women working in factories. -
Mortgages Act
By DLG.
Controls how much rent can be raised by.
Prevents landlords from improving homes. -
Period: to
Coalition government (Liberal)
Asquith + DLG + Bonar-Law (conservative leader).
Asquith forms coalition with conservatives and labour party.
Highlights weakness in wartime leadership. -
Military Service Act
Conscription introduced for men aged 18-41. -
Easter Rising
By republican groups to gain Irish independence.
Makes British government very unpopular. -
Period: to
Coalition government (liberal + conservative)
DLG.
Conservatives withdraw support from coalition.
Led to DLG's resignation.
Bonar-Law becomes PM.
End liberal dominance in British politics. -
Representation of the People Act
Enfranchises:
- Women over 30
- All men over 21 -
General election "coupon"
DLG coalition won with conservative support.
Further weakened the liberal party, as labour emerges. -
Fisher's Education Act
By DLG.
School leaving age 14.
Introduces state scholarships for equal opportunities to go to university. -
Period: to
Post-WW1 economic crisis
Over 1 million unemployed. -
Housing Act (Addison Act)
By Christopher Addison.
Government funded housing for working class families.
Follows "homes fit for heroes". -
Sex Disqualification Act
Allowed women to enter professions like law, civil service and go to universities. -
Treaty of Versailles
Treaty of Versailles ends WW2. -
Period: to
Irish War of Independence
Led by Eamon de Valera (Irish nationalist leader).
War between British forces and Irish republicans.
Laid groundwork for Irish independence. -
Unemployment Insurance Act
Expanded benefits to more workers.
Over 11 million people. -
Post-war crisis
2 million unemployed after returning from war. -
Geddes Axe
By Eric Geddes.
Drastic spending cuts to reduce national debt.
Worsened unemployment and slowed the economic recovery. -
Anglo-Irish Treaty
Ends Irish War of Independence.
Marked end of direct British rule in most of Ireland. -
Education Act
By DLG.
Provided free school meals to children. -
Period: to
Interwar slump
Reduced demand of coal and textile industries. -
Creation Irish Free State
Most of Ireland not under British rule. -
Period: to
Conservative government
Under Bonar-Law. -
Period: to
Conservative government
Under Stanley Baldwin. -
Period: to
Conservative government
Under Stanley Baldwin. -
Period: to
Labour government
First labour government.
Under Ramsay MacDonald. -
UK returns to Gold Standard
Led by Churchill.
To stabilise economy. -
General Strike
Baldwin (PM): against the strike.
Arthur Pugh: union leader.
Trade unions call for 9 day strike against coal miners' wages.
Government stops the strike. -
Wall Street Crash
Economy collapsed.
High unemployment and social hardship. -
Period: to
Labour Government
Under Ramsay MacDonald, Snowden as chancellor.
Faces economic crisis: Wall Street Crash and the rise of unemployment. -
Housing Act (slum clearance)
By Arthur Greenwood.
Large-scale demolition of slums and construction of new housing. -
Britain leaves Gold Standard
Devalues pound.
Boosts trade and industrial output. -
Period: to
National government - labour/liberal/conservative coalition
Under Ramsay MacDonald and Chamberlain.
Face economic crisis. -
Import Duties Act
Abandons free trade and introduces tariffs.
Introduces 10% tariff on most imports, reversing Britain's stance on free trade.
Neville Chamberlain advocates to protect balance economy. -
Unemployment Act
After unemployment peaks at 3 million.
Establishes a means-tested dole system. -
Unemployment Assistance Act
By Neville Chamberlain.
Means-tested benefits for long-term unemployment.
Stricter unemployment benefits. -
Period: to
Economic recovery in the south
Stanley Bladwin advocates for re-armament.
Increasing jobs because of WW2.
Creates clear north/south division. -
Government of India Act
Gives India more self-governance. -
Period: to
Re-armament and government spending
Government invests in defense industries -- creates more jobs.
Unemployment fell, but still clear north/south divide. -
Period: to
National government - conservative led
Under Stanley Baldwin.
Focuses on appeasement and rearmament. -
Jarrow March
Ellen Wilkinson (Labour MP for Jarrow).
Unemployment march from Jarrow to London to demand jobs after the collapse of shipbuilding industry.
Baldwin completely ignores. -
Edward VIII scandal
Edward VIII abdicates to marry Wallis Simpson.
George VI becomes new king. -
Period: to
National government - conservative led
Under Neville Chamberlain.
Pursued appeasement for Hitler. -
Holiday Pay Act
Guaranteed paid holidays for workers.
Improved living standards. -
Munich Agreement
Chamberlain allowed Hitler to annex Czechoslovakia. -
WW2 begins
Evacuation millions of children from cities to rural areas.
Government intervention (industries + wartime measures).
Laissez-Faire moves to interventionism. -
Emergency Powers Act
Gives government control over economy, labour and industry. -
Operation Pied Piper
1.5 million children evacuated from cities ro rural areas. -
Period: to
WW2
-
Norway Campaign
Germany invades Norway and France + Britain try to stop them but fail.
Suggested invasion by Churchill.
Led to the resignation of Chamberlain and Churchill becoming new PM. -
WVS
Womens Volunteer Service.
Help evacuees, air shelters and to boost morale. -
Firewatcher's Scheme
Citizens assigned to guard buildings from bombing. -
National Service Act
Conscription for women aged 20-30. -
War Damages Act
Compensations for bombing of businesses during the Blitz. -
Period: to
National government
Under Winston Churchill. -
Period: to
Blitz
40,000 killed in mass bombing of London.
Leaves millions of homes and factories destroyed. -
Atlantic Charter
Churchill and Roosevelt agree on post-war principles. -
Lend-lease agreement with USA
Keynes visits the USA and agrees that the USA would provide supplies to Britain (weapons, food...). -
Essential Work Orders
Forces workers into key industries to kickstart the economy. -
Beveridge Report
By William Beveridge.
5 giants of society:
- squalor
- disease
- idleness
- ignorance
- want
Lays foundation for welfare state. -
Casablanca Conference
Churchill and Roosevelt plan European strategy. -
Cairo and Tehran Conferences
Churchill and Roosevelt plan European strategy. -
Financial aid from USA
Keynes negotiates financial aid from USA. -
Education Act (Butler Act)
By RAB.
Free secondary education for all children. -
Family Allowances Act
Child benefits. -
Bretton Woods Conference
Keynes represents Britain.