1906 Election - created from Mind Map

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Boer War

Concentration camps were used against the Dutch Boers leading to 28,000 deaths

Highlighted poor national efficiency

Voted against the conservatives due to the immoral methods used against the Boers

Lost votes from people who were embarrassed by the length of the war

Caused split amongst Liberals

Only 30% volunteers fit for service

Due to malnutrition as children

Balfour's Premiership

Became PM due to Nepotism (Nephew of Lord Sailsbury)

Too intelligent & philosophical

Aloof- Upper class with no links to the working class

Couldn't sell his good ideas E.g. Education & Licensing Act

Indecisive- Free trade or taxes?

Alienated the working class, directing them to Liberal

Could have won the Conservatives votes

Voters became unsure so voted Liberal

Tariff Reform

Conservatives held an imperial preference (to develop the empire)

Taxes on non-empire imports

Balfour was indecisive

Joseph Chamberlain wanted to use money from taxes to develop social reforms

Economic competition with USA & Germany

60% food imported resulting in increased prices

Untied Liberals but split the conservatives

Farmers & manufactures voted conservative

Working class voted for free trade (Liberal)

People voted against the conservatives due to not knowing their polices

If promoted correctly could have won votes

1902 Education Act

Passed by Unionist Govt.

Abolished old school boards. LEAs became responsible for elementary & secondary education.

Non-Conformists voted Liberal to prevent strengthening of Anglican Church

Showed Balfour was insensitive to public perception

State now paid teachers. Church provided buildings.

Allowed Liberals to heal the split that had occurred as a result of the Boer War

Increase National Efficiency

1905- 94,000 1914- 200,000

State supporting religious groups

1904 Licensing Act

Reduced the number of public houses

Gave compensation

Non-conformists voted Liberal. Alcohol causes social evils such as poverty & domestic violence so should not be compensated.

Chinese Slavery

Men were brought over from China to help rebuild South Africa's Economy

Were treated like slaves - had to pay for transport to South Africa & then lived in poor conditions

Although not Balfour's idea portrayed Conservatives supporting slavery

People voted Liberal for moral & religious reasons

Workers voted Labour to protect themselves

Taff Vale Case

1. Rail way company wanted to reduce wages 2. Workers go on strike. 3.Company sues the trade union for £23,000 of lost profits 4. Judge forces trade union to pay.

Trade unions can't strike/ fear striking

Reduces protection of workers

Workers vote Liberal due to Conservatives failing to pass a law to protect them

Modern Election Techniques

Liberal propaganda proved effective.

Poster used to demonstrate policies

Canvassing

Big Loaf, Little Loaf Campaign (Tariff Reform)

Lib Lab Pact 1903

Secret pact. Labour & Liberals agreed to not have candidates stand for seats where one had a better chance of winning.

Allowed Liberals to win marginal seats

Labour gained seats

1900-2 Seats 1906-29 Seats

1905 Aliens Act

Followed a 1903 Royal Commission on Alien Immigration

Immigraants had to arrive at designated ports. Pay £5 and £2 for their dependents. Be examined and demonstrate they could earn a living.

Lost Conservatives votes from ethnic minorites

As a result of 200,000 Eastern European Jewish refugees who came during the 1890s

1906 Election