'the victorian goverment did not care for its citizens' Do you agree?

Answer 1

The Victorian Governments (there were many administrations throughout the long reign of Victoria) passed much legislation showing their concern for the people:-

Factory Acts throughout the century, limiting the age at which children could work, regulating working conditions etc.

Public Health Acts dealing with matters such as sanitation.

Acts regulating adulteration of food

Repeal of the Corn Laws making food cheaper for the masses.

Acts regulating working class housing (Prince Albert designed model dwellings)

Workingmens Compensation Acts (for injuries)

The beginning of compulsory education

Widening of the (male) franchise

Making railway companies introduce workingmens trains at cheap fares.

A number of Truck Acts were passed during the century making it illegal to pay other than in coin of the realm, this ending the system whereby workers were paid in tokens which could only be used at the company's store.

In addition works like the immense London sewerage system were begun and the piping of clean water, all to try and stop the spread of disease.

Many of these provisions had to be further amended and improved in later years, but do, I think, disprove your proposition.

Answer 2

I certainly do not agree. All the abuses which some people think characterise the Victorian era had been going on before. What is Victorian is the humanitarianism that actually NOTICED them. This had effect in the various Factory Acts. If the present government had a similar concern for the poor, the country would be a much better place.

Answer 3

Lions led by donkeys.