Timeline
Liberal Reforms
Suffragettes
Britain at War
the Home Front
General Strikes
DATE
1901
EVENT – DESCRIPTION
Queen Victoria dies
1902
Boer War ends
1903
Emmeline Pankhurst
forms the WSPU, aka
the Suffragettes
1906
Schlieffen Plan finalised
1906
Free School Meals
1908
Children and Young
Persons Act
1908
The Pensions Act
1908
More aggressive
approach from
suffragettes
Creation of the Labour
Exchange
1909
1910-1914
Miners Strikes
1911
National Insurance Act
SIGNIFICANCE
Shows end of the Victorian era, and brings in a new era
known as ‘Edwardian’ era. Opportunity to change
society
2 out of 3 soldiers in this War were considered to be
unfit, this was behind some of the Liberal Reforms
Previously women (suffragists) were campaigning by
sending letters, and marching, and having some
speeches. This was ineffective. Suffragettes used more
confrontational, violent tactics. Pankhurst was a strong
leader
This shows that Germany were preparing to go to War
and were anticipating aggression from both the
Eastern and Western fronts
Made sure all children would be healthy, thus reducing
child mortality, building a stronger country
Made sure that children were not insured for their
lives so parents wouldn’t neglect their children or
cause death to ‘cash in’ on the life insurance. Also
made it illegal to sell cigarettes to kids, and set up
youth courts so kids went to Borstal (young offenders
institute) rather than adult prison
The state gave money to people over 70 to make sure
old people could look after themselves, thus increasing
life expectancy
Showed a step up – made the government have to
react to arrests and protests – lots of media coverage
and police brutality was highlighted
Helped find unemployed people work – like a job
centre – reduced unemployment and made sure more
people could feed their families
Series of strikes across these years reduced resources
to use, pushed up prices of coal – gained public
support because of this
In return for giving some of their wages per pay
packet, all workers would receive free medical
treatment and sick pay – aka benefits
1911
National Strike – Rail
and Dock workers
1913
The Cat and Mouse Act
1913
Emily Davison gets hit
by a horse at the Derby
1914
D.O.R.A. (defence of the
realm act)
1914
Battle of the Marne
July 1916
Battle of the Somme
1916
Conscription (Military
Services Act)
April 1917
USA join the War
against German
Ludendorff Offensive
March 1918
1918
Women over 30 get the
vote
November 1918
Surrender of Germany;
end of WW1
April 1921
Black Friday
Government used troops to break up strikes, showed
government didn’t have many options and were
struggling to deal with unrest.
Govt used to reduce risk of hunger striking suffragettes
from dying in prison, but would re-arrest women who
had been released to regain their health. Highly
criticised and highlighted desperate struggle of women
Huge event, and Davison was seen as a martyr for the
cause. Helped advance suffragette movement as it
created worldwide news about the idea of women
having the votes
Government had power to censor letter, imprison
people without trial and take control of businesses to
help the War effort. Showed readiness to produce lots
of weapons, showed that government expected a long
war with Germany. Limited pub opening hours and
eventually allowed rationing of food.
First battle since Britain enter the War, slowed down
German advance to Paris, so making the Schlieffen
Plan fail. Created a stalemate situation
Huge battle – 40-60,000 British troops die on first day
of conflict. Lasts 5 months. British claim victory but
only advance a few kilometres at large cost to life.
General Haig, commander of British army, known as
the ‘Butcher of the Somme’ due to his poor tactics,
constantly sending troops ‘over the top’ and not
allowing them to run as it ‘wasn’t British to run’
Forced all unmarried men 18-41 who were healthy to
sign up and fight in WW1. Led to conscientious
objectors – those who refused to fight because of their
beliefs against violence. Targeted middle class office
workers rather than miners, as they were needed to
help out the War effort at home
British get vital reinforcements, helped turn the tide
against the Germans
Final opportunity for Germany to win the War, major
offensive by the Germans to beat the British/French.
All German forces committed to the final push. Thanks
to US reinforcements, Germans were pushed back,
rather than going forward.
Shows that women were considered equal in the eyes
of the law, but didn’t go far enough in some peoples
eyes
All sides have very little army left, most countries are
left bankrupt. British War casualties – 1 million dead,
many more seriously injured.
Miners, rail and transport workers walked out. Protests
because of increased hours and reduced pay as there
was pressure from overseas companies.
July 1925
Red Friday
4 May 1926
General Strike starts
11 May 1926
General Strike ends
Nov 1926
Miners end their strike
1927
Trade Disputes Act
1928
Women over 21 get the
vote
Government agree to pay some of the miners wages to
reduce the risk of future strikes. This promise doesn’t
last as government is short of money. Broken promises
= risk of a larger strike.
National strike of transport workers, miners etc. No
public transport available. Trade Unions organise the
co-ordinated protest across the country. PM Baldwin
calls the strikes “an attack on British democracy”.
Government take control of BBC, send warship to
Newcastle, prepare to use violence to end strike –
shows desperation from government
A week later, strike ends – workers were surprised –
Trade Unions called off the strike as scared of the
government. Government used propaganda on BBC
and newspapers to bad-mouth the strikers. The
middle-class who were not on strike did not support
the workers. Showed strength of propaganda and
effectiveness of showing aggression to strikers.
Miners carried on striking after end of General Strike
for 6 months because they were still unhappy. BUT had
to call it off as workers were running out of money,
they were forced to return to work without
improvements. Showed strength of government not to
negotiate with strikers, and that they had more power
than the people who voted for them.
Made national strikes illegal – reduced risk of repeat of
General Strike, made the government feel more
secure.
Women officially and legally equal in society to men