The Causes and Impact of Social Reform (1833-1848)

The Causes and Impact of Social Reform (1833-1848)

Prison Reform (1835-1877)

  • The outdated and often brutal prison conditions were highlighted by leading figures such as prison reformer Elizabeth Fry.

  • The Prisons Act of 1835 aimed to standardise the system, establishing a general inspectorate and enforcing regulations for health and cleanliness.

  • However, progress was slow and inconsistent across the country, leading to the introduction of the Prisons Act of 1865 which enforced a stricter regime and the principle of less eligibility.

  • The impact of these reforms was mixed, with improvements in prisoner welfare and humane treatment but criticisms of the continuation of hard labour and sloppy administration.

Factory Reform (1833-1847)

  • The poor conditions for workers, especially child labourers, in factories stoked public outcry for reform.

  • The Factory Act of 1833 forbade the employment of children under nine in textile factories and limited the working hours for those aged 9-13.

  • The Factory Act of 1847, also known as the Ten Hour Act, limited the workday for women and child workers to ten hours.

  • These reforms greatly improved working conditions for many workers, but limitations in enforcement and scope meant that many still endured harsh conditions.

Public Health Reform (1848)

  • The stark conditions of urban life during the Industrial Revolution, including overpopulation, pollution, and disease, led to calls for improvements in public health.

  • The Public Health Act of 1848 was introduced following significant outbreaks of cholera which had highlighted the inadequate sanitation and poor living conditions in towns and cities.

  • The act saw the creation of a General Board of Health which had the powers to instigate local boards to supervise sewerage and drainage, regulate lodging houses and control waste.

  • Although it was a significant move towards recognising the public’s health as a state concern, the impact was hampered by resistance from local officials and a lack of comprehensive enforcement.

Education Reform (1833-1848)

  • Prior to 1833, education was largely unregulated and non-compulsory, with quality and availability varying greatly.

  • The state provided grants for voluntary schools in 1833 and 1839, a significant move towards state involvement in education, but provision remained chaotic and inconsistent.

  • The Education Act of 1847 introduced factory schools, making it mandatory for factory owners to provide basic literacy and arithmetic education to working children.

  • Despite its limitations, such as relying on factory owners to implement, it marked a beginning to compulsory education and brought some level of standardisation.