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The early 20th century saw a dramatic shift in the role of the government in caring for the health of the nation. The Liberal Reforms (1906--1914) and the creation of the Welfare State (1942--1948) established the principle that the government had a responsibility to protect its citizens from poverty and ill health.
Several factors led to a growing belief that the government should intervene to improve public health.
| Factor | Detail |
|---|---|
| Booth and Rowntree's research | Charles Booth (1889) and Seebohm Rowntree (1901) conducted surveys that proved poverty was caused by circumstances (low wages, old age, sickness), not laziness |
| The Boer War (1899--1902) | Up to 40% of army recruits were rejected as physically unfit for service; this was a national embarrassment and security concern |
| Political competition | The new Labour Party threatened to take working-class votes from the Liberals; the Liberals needed to offer social reforms |
| The example of Germany | Germany had introduced sickness and accident insurance in the 1880s under Bismarck, showing that state welfare was possible |
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