Whig Social Reform 1830s

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Whig Social Reform 1830s

Causes

  • Liberalism - Role of government should be minimal and the economy should be free from any government control. Jeremy Bentham argued Gov intervention was necessary and introduced Utilitarianism.
  • Utilitarianism - To create happiness for the majority - Punishment was seen as more important than reward. Taught through infliction of pain.
  • Humanitarians - Works for the benefit of humanity by reducing suffering. Lord Ashley was an MP which encouraged investigations
  • Royal Commission Reports - Very influential as investigations encouraged government to make legislation
  • 10 Hour Movement - Organised protest movement fighting for the 10 hour working day - little success but drew attention to the issue
  • Public Opinion - Did not want to go back to 'Dark Days' before 1832 of popular protest

Effects

  • First Government grant for education 1833 - First time public money was used - general concern that children working was creating an immoral WC influence
  • Factory Act 1833 - Regulating factory conditions which were enforced by factory inspectors - Work by children under 9 made illegal
  • Poor Law Amendment Act 1834 - Old Poor Law was taking money off the higher classes (Parish Relief) Workhouses were said to reduce the economic burden. They were terrible condition enforcing the Utilitarianism idea
  • Mines Act 1842 - 10 hr movement campaigned for 10hr day, Peel said it would not happen. Lord Ashley chaired a commission that horrified people at the conditions children faced. Act banned children under 10 from working in the mines
  • Public Health Act 1848 - Government was worried that Britain was not productive - Edwin Chadwick improved health as a way of reducing poverty - Therefore spending less on Poor Law

Overall summary

For the Whigs, this was arguably the most extensive series of reforms that, up to this point, had been attempted by any government.The Royal Commission was crucial in passing the legislation.

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