Liberal Reforms 1906-1918

Lesson Plan

1. Starter - Causes of poverty - Duration 5 mins

Episode	Learning Objectives	Resources
Students are shown a political cartoon demonstrating the prevailing attitude of the 19th century political class towards poverty and the working class. They then consider how this might differ to their understanding of the causes of poverty.	Understand the difference between the 19th and 21st century's views of poverty.	Slides

Teacher Notes: 1. Starter - Causes of poverty

2. The Boer War - Duration 10 mins

Episode	Learning Objectives	Resources
Students are presented with a couple of sources which explain the prevalent state of health amongst the British working class in the 19th century. Students write a short paragraph comparing the state of health between the different social classes and explaining the causes of any differences. Students then examine information from Seebohm Rowntree's report on poverty in York. Finally students examine how the problems of recruiting soldiers in the Boer War raised awareness of poverty in Britain.	Know about the level of poverty in Britain during the 19th century and the reasons for this. Understand the reasons for the rise in awareness of poverty.	Slides Student Worksheets 1-2

Teacher Notes: 2. The Boer War

3. Welfare reforms - Duration 5-10 mins

Episode	Learning Objectives	Resources
Students are introduced to the following of the Liberal Government's Welfare Reform Acts. The Schools Meal Act (1906) Medical Inspections (1907) Old Age Pensions Act (1908) National Insurance Act part 1 (health insurance) National Insurance Act part 2 (unemployment insurance).	Know about some of the reforms introduced by the Liberal Government between 1906-1918.	Slides

Teacher Notes: 3. Welfare reforms

4. Debate - Duration 25-30 mins

Episode	Learning Objectives	Resources
The class is divided into groups of four and conducts a debate on the success (or otherwise) of the reforms. Students consider the impact which the reforms had on the effectiveness of British troops in the First World War.	Assess the success of the reforms. Present a coherent argument. Understand the impact which the Liberal reforms had on Britain's Armed Forces in the First World War.	Student Worksheets 3-4 Slides

Teacher Notes: 4. Debate

5. Plenary - Mutual debt? - Duration 15 mins

Episode	Learning Objectives	Resources
Students consider the change in the relationship between the state and the public which was engendered by the Liberal reforms. Students then look at the Military Covenant and consider whether the precedent for the relationship between the military, the public and the Government, outlined in the Covenant, was set by the Liberal reforms. Students draw conclusions about the value of these reforms in improving the lives of members of the British Forces today - with reference to a current operation (e.g. how the Government looks after troops in Afghanistan).	Awareness of the military covenant.	Student Worksheet 5

Teacher Notes: 5. Plenary - Mutual debt?

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