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GREAT BRITAIN: REFORM UNDER
DISRAELI AND GLADSTONE
Kagan Ch. 22
Benjamin Disraeli
William Gladstone
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SECOND REFORM BILL Lord Palmerston dies 1865 – was Whig
Prime Minister Imperialism: India mutiny / China / US Civil War
Continued Reform 1865-1885 (Disraeli vs. Gladstone)Gladstone (Liberal): Irish Home Rule, free
trade, democratic principlesDisraeli (Conservative): Aggressive foreign
policy, expansion, vs. democratic reform Disraeli - Reform Bill of 1867 (like 1832)
Seats in House of Commons redistributed – better representation
Extension of the right to vote to many urban workers (sig: liberals win although bill is proposed by a conservative!)
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GLADSTONE’S MINISTRY
1868-74 Gladstone’s Liberals – towards democracyCivil Services Reform 1870 – competitive
exam for govt. officesEducation Act 1870 – gov’t. aid to schoolsUniversity Act 1870 – reduced Anglican seats1871 abolition of purchase military officers’
commissionsBallot Act 1872 – secret ballot allowed
Gladstone: 1881-1885, 1886, 1892-1894 3rd Reform Bill = Representation of the People Act –
1884 Voting rights to farm workers
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DISRAELI: 2ND TIME ‘ROUND 1874-1880 Benjamin Disraeli
Promotes a program called Tory Democracy Designed to win increased popular support for
the Conservatives1875, Public Health Act: standards for
sanitation1875, Artisan Dwelling Act: public housing
for workersGrants protection to trade unions, sanctions
picketing1875, Food and Drug Act: regulates sale
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HOME RULE: YES OR NO? The Irish Question
Act of Union 1801 united Ireland w/GB Irish Catholics demanded home rule Gladstone
1869 Irish Catholics no longer pay taxes to Church of Ireland
1870 Land Act, compensation and loans for Irish tenant farmers
Charles Stewart Parnell organized Irish political bloc w/in Parliament Gladstone proposed home rule in 1886 and 1893 (both
times he was defeated) 1903 Conservatives pass 3rd land act giving
tenant farmers real ownership of land 1914, Liberals succeeded in getting Irish home
rule through Parliament suspended b/c of WWI
Civil War loomed!!! Reform efforts did not shape foreign policy!
SIG: Reform = at home – not beyond England!!!