Winston Churchill And British Unemployment Reform In1908-1911

In the late19th and early20th century, with the increasingly serious of unemployment, British government and society began to change the views for the unemployed and causes of unemployment of liberalism period, and gradually recognized that unemployment was caused mainly by state and the development of industry, so the state should undertake the major responsibility of dealing with unemployment.The unemployment reform of1908-1911which was led by Winston Churchill, who was one of the greatest social reformer in the early20th century, had an important significance in the history of both England and the wholC world dCaling with unemployment. The labor exchange system and unemployment insurance system which were established by this reform connected closely and coordinated mutually, formed an organic system of guarding against unemployment and its result, while the compulsory unemployment insurance system of the two rather more opened a new method of coping with unemployment in the mankind history, and it developed into the main trend of unemployment insurance system in the world today.This article comprises the introduction, the main part and the conclusion mainly. The introduction briefly introduces the causes and significance of choosing this topic as well as the research situations and achievements on it. It also gives an explanation about the concepts "unemployment" and "unemployment insurance".The main part can be divided into four chapters:Chapter one discusses the British unemployment in the late19th and early20th century at length. In the late19th and early20th century, British unemployment became more and more serious, and it existed difference among sectors and districts. Moreover, living conditions of the unemployed were very tragic, all these led various circles of Britain recognized the causes of unemployment again. With the change of this knowledge, British government gradually gave up conditional Poor Law system, and undertook the responsibility of dealing with unemployment.Chapter two chiefly introduces the forming of Churchill’s idea of social reform and his idea of unemployment reform. The forming of Churchill’s idea of social reform was mainly effected by several factors, and it experienced an evolving process from confusion to system. Churchill’s idea of unemployment reform mainly comprised the ideas of labor exchange and unemployment insurance, and the latter marked Churchill had been a mature social reformer.Chapter three mainly discusses the legislative course of the unemployment reform of1908-1911which was led by Churchill. In the initial stage after acted as minister of Board of Trade, Churchill played an important role in the adoption and enforcement of Coals Mines Regulation Act of1908, and chaired the formulation of Trade Boards Act of1909. These laid foundation for unemployment reform which was led by him. The unemployment reform of1908-1911which was led by Churchill mainly comprised the Labor Exchange Act of1909and the Unemployment Insurance Act of1911, both condensed much effort of Churchill.Chapter four majorly evaluates the content of unemployment reform of1908-1911and Churchill’s role in the reform. The labor exchange system and unemployment insurance system which were established by the unemployment reform of1908-1911both had its active significance and limitations, but to sum up the two acts supplemented mutually, formed a new system of dealing with unemployment, and Churchill, who led the unemployment reform, undoubtedly should enjoy the major credit of the reform. The conclusion mainly provides some experience and lessons which were drawn from British unemployment reform of1908-1911for our country to deal with unemployment.