Question 1: When did the Factory Act, which limited working hours for children, come into effect?

Answer: 1833

Question 2: Who was the social reformer associated with the abolition of slavery and campaigning for social justice during the Victorian era?

Answer: William Wilberforce

Question 3: Which social class mainly benefited from the Public Health Act of 1848?

Answer: The urban poor

Question 4: Describe one key feature of the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834.

Answer: It aimed to reduce the cost of looking after the poor by encouraging workhouses and discouraging outdoor relief.

Question 5: Name two major social reform movements or campaigns during the Victorian period.

Answer: The Chartist Movement and the Campaign for the Abolition of Slavery

Question 1: Source: 'A Victorian factory worker's letter describing long hours and poor conditions.' What does this source tell us about working conditions during the Victorian era?

Answer: The source highlights that factory workers endured long hours, poor safety, and low pay, reflecting harsh working conditions that prompted social reform.

Question 2: Evaluate the reliability of this source. What are its strengths and limitations?

Answer: The source provides a personal perspective, making it valuable for understanding individual experiences. However, it may be biased or exaggerated, and not representative of all workers.

Question 3: Why might reformers have used such sources to influence public opinion?

Answer: Reformers used personal accounts and vivid descriptions to evoke empathy and persuade the public and politicians to support social reforms.

Question 1: Explain why the Factory Acts were introduced during the Victorian period.

Answer: Factory Acts were introduced to improve working conditions, reduce child labour, and address concerns about industrial exploitation, driven by the growing awareness of social inequality and reform movements.

Question 2: Describe how the Public Health Act of 1848 aimed to tackle urban sanitation problems.

Answer: The Public Health Act established local boards to oversee sanitation, sewage, and water supply, aiming to reduce disease and improve living conditions in rapidly growing cities.

Question 3: Explain the significance of the abolition of slavery in the context of Victorian social reform.

Answer: Abolition of slavery was a major moral and social reform, reflecting changing attitudes toward human rights and equality, and inspiring other social justice movements.

Question 1: To what extent did social reform during the Victorian era improve the lives of the urban poor?

Answer: A balanced answer should consider achievements like the Factory Acts and Public Health Act, as well as ongoing issues of poverty and inequality, arguing that reforms made significant but incomplete improvements.

Question 2: How far do you agree that social reform in Victorian Britain was driven primarily by moral concern rather than economic interests?

Answer: A balanced argument should analyze the role of moral ideals, religious influence, and economic factors such as industrialisation and poverty alleviation needs, discussing which was more influential.