Question 1

What were the main causes of the Second Boer War?

Accepted Answer

The Second Boer War (1899-1902) was caused by British imperial ambitions in South Africa, particularly the desire to control the gold and diamond mines in the Transvaal and Orange Free State. Tensions also arose from the Boers' resentment of British political interference and the treatment of Uitlanders (foreigners, mostly British) who were denied voting rights. The Jameson Raid (1895) had already heightened distrust.

Question 2

Why did the Liberal government introduce social reforms between 1906 and 1914?

Accepted Answer

The Liberal reforms were driven by several factors: the discovery that many army recruits during the Boer War were physically unfit, highlighting poverty; the rise of the Labour Party, which threatened Liberal support; and the work of social investigators like Charles Booth and Seebohm Rowntree, who documented widespread poverty. Reforms like old-age pensions (1908) and National Insurance (1911) aimed to create a 'national minimum' and improve national efficiency.

Question 3

How did World War I change the role of women in Britain?

Accepted Answer

World War I led to women taking on jobs traditionally held by men, such as in munitions factories, transport, and farming (the Women's Land Army). This challenged gender stereotypes and demonstrated women's capabilities. The Representation of the People Act (1918) granted voting rights to women over 30 who met property qualifications, partly as a reward for their war contribution. However, full equality in voting came later in 1928.

Question 4

What was the Parliament Act 1911 and why was it important?

Accepted Answer

The Parliament Act 1911 removed the House of Lords' power to veto money bills and limited their veto on other bills to two years. It was passed after the Lords rejected the Liberal government's People's Budget (1909), which proposed higher taxes on the wealthy to fund social reforms. The Act was a major step in reducing the power of the aristocracy and strengthening the elected House of Commons.

Question 5

How did the British Empire contribute to World War I?

Accepted Answer

The British Empire provided crucial military and economic support. Troops from India, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and other colonies fought in major battles like Gallipoli and the Somme. Colonial resources, such as food, raw materials, and money, were also vital. The war effort strengthened imperial ties but also sowed seeds of nationalism, as colonies expected rewards for their contributions.

Question 6

What were the key features of the People's Budget 1909?

Accepted Answer

The People's Budget, introduced by Chancellor David Lloyd George, proposed increased taxes on the wealthy, including a super-tax on incomes over £5,000, higher death duties, and a tax on land values. The revenue was intended to fund old-age pensions and naval expansion. The budget sparked a constitutional crisis when the House of Lords rejected it, leading to the Parliament Act 1911.

Empire, Reform and War: Britain, 1890-1918

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