Do You Agree with the View That the Second Boer War Advanced the Cause of Social Reform in Britain?

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Do you agree with the view that the Second Boer War advanced the cause of social reform in Britain? Explain your answer, using sources 4, 5 and 6 and your own knowledge. I agree to an extent that the Second Boer War advanced the cause of social reforms, as it is clear that the reforms made such as the Old Age Pensions Act 1908, which showed advances in respect for the elderly, and Child Welfare Legislation which led to food being provided at school for children, penalties for parental neglect and regular medical inspections- all which led to a reduced death rate. The idea of The Boer War causing reform in Britain is supported by the sources, as Source 5 makes it clear that the war brought to light the physical deterioration of the working classes- agreeing with Source 4 that the war ‘did reinforce concern’ toward the ‘condition of the mass of the population’- whereas before this area of concern had been somewhat neglected. This is supported also by Source 6, which specifies that it was in the ‘recruitment for the Second Boer War’ that made it clear reforms needed to be done in order to solve the gradual rise of poverty in Britain. However, although the war cannot be disregarded when discussing the cause of social reform in Britain, it is far more likely that the Second Boer War acted as a catalyst for reforms, due to the fact that it is clear reforms were on the rise previously to the war, and would have undeniably happened regardless of working class recruitment into the war, making poverty apparent. Although all three sources present varied opinions of the effect that the war had on Britain socially, there are ways in which they do agree. Sources 4,5 and 6 all mention the fact that the level of poverty within working class members of society was brought to light during the recruitment of new soldiers, and this is what ‘convinced the
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