Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780–1928 - 3…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 36.1: Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780–1928 - 3 Contagious Diseases Acts and the campaign for their repeal, 1862–86: Reasons why the Contagious Diseases Acts were introduced, including the committee established in 1862 to look into extent of venereal disease in the armed forces.
The Contagious Diseases Acts of 1864, 1866 and 1869 aimed to control venereal disease in the armed forces.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 3
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The Contagious Diseases Acts of 1864, 1866 and 1869 aimed to control venereal disease in the armed forces. A key reason was the 1862 committee, which investigated the extent of venereal disease in the army and navy. It found high infection rates, especially in garrison and port towns, and recommended state intervention. Other reasons included concerns about military efficiency, the influence of moral reformers, and existing practices in other countries. The Acts allowed police to identify and register women suspected of prostitution in specified areas, subject them to medical examination, and detain those infected in lock hospitals. This clause requires understanding of the committee's role and the broader context of public health and military policy.
What earns the marks
- Explains the 1862 committee's findings on venereal disease prevalence in the armed forces.
- Identifies military efficiency concerns as a reason for the Acts.
- Discusses the role of moral reformers and public health concerns.
- Links the committee's recommendations to the introduction of the Acts.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Stating the committee was established in 1864.
Put it right: It was established in 1862.
Claiming the Acts applied to all women.
Put it right: They targeted specific garrison and port towns.
Ignoring the committee's role.
Put it right: It provided evidence that justified the Acts.
Exam tips
- Use specific evidence from the 1862 committee's report to support your arguments.
- Link the committee's findings to the broader military and social context.
- Compare the relative importance of different reasons for the Acts.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 36.1: Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780–1928 - 3 Contagious Diseases Acts and the campaign for their repeal, 1862–86: Reasons why the Contagious Diseases Acts were introduced, including the committee established in 1862 to look into extent of venereal disease in the armed forces. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which body was established in 1862 to investigate the extent of venereal disease in the armed forces?
Listen
The Contagious Diseases Acts of 1864, 1866 and 1869 aimed to control venereal disease in the armed forces. A key reason was the 1862 committee, which investigated the extent of venereal disease in the army and navy. It found high infection rates, especially in garrison and port towns, and recommended state intervention. Other reasons included concerns about military efficiency, the influence of moral reformers, and existing practices in other countries. The Acts allowed police to identify and register women suspected of prostitution in specified areas, subject them to medical examination, and detain those infected in lock hospitals. This clause requires understanding of the committee's role and the broader context of public health and military policy. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains the 1862 committee's findings on venereal disease prevalence in the armed forces. Identifies military efficiency concerns as a reason for the Acts. Discusses the role of moral reformers and public health concerns. Links the committee's recommendations to the introduction of the Acts. A common slip: stating the committee was established in 1864. Instead, it was established in 1862. Exam tip: Use specific evidence from the 1862 committee's report to support your arguments.
See it
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Third Contagious Diseases Act passed
- 2. Committee established to investigate venereal disease in the armed forces
- 3. Second Contagious Diseases Act passed
- 4. First Contagious Diseases Act introduced
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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