Gladstone & Disraeli Politics in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

Monarchs  Victoria ( )  Edward VII ( )  George V ( )

Background  Became more democratic  Monarchs became figureheads, head of state  Great Britain kept her position of leadership in Europe, because; - Stable parliamentary government - Commercial and industrial strength - Naval power

The Reform Bill of 1832  Political victory of well-to-do business classes over landed aristocracy  Extended the suffrage (still only 1/8 of population)

Reform Bill of 1867  Urban workers had no direct voice in government  Liberal Party led by John Bright and William Gladstone favored giving urban workers the vote.  Although Liberals were defeated in 1866, the Reform Bill was passed in 1867by the Conservative Party under Benjamin Disraeli’s leadership.

Reform Bill of 1867 (con’t)  Disraeli felt that the bill would soon pass anyway and wanted the credit to go to the Conservative Party.  This law doubled the electorate ( now ¼ of the population could vote).

Gladstone and the Liberal Party  Gladstone ( ) became PM in  Reforms of the Liberal Parliament Gov’t administration – compulsory civil service exams In the army In Irish affairs Tax-supported public schools 1871 – Trade Union Act 1872 – Secret Ballot

Gladstone and the Liberal Party (con’t)  Gladstone served as PM four different times between  Benjamin Disraeli ( ), the Conservative, was his leading opponent.  Liberals supported: Some working-class measures Laissez-faire principals that enabled business interests to increase profits and exploit labor. Promoted peace and avoided aggressive policies in foreign affairs. Drew support from religious dissenters, advocates of free trade and civil libertarians.

Gladstone and Ireland  Friction between England and Ireland  Irish paid taxes supporting the Church of England  high rents paid to absentee landlords  demands for home-rule rose in the 1860’s  poverty and discriminatory laws

Gladstone and Ireland (timeline)  1869 – Disestablishment Act, Irish no longer had to pay taxes to support Anglican Church and also limited protection given to Irish tenants  1886 – Gladstone sponsored an Irish Home Rule Bill that split the Liberal Party and brought the Conservatives to power

Disraeli and the Conservative Party  Disraeli served twice as PM between 1867 and  Made the Conservative Party more attractive to the masses.  More legislation passed under his Tory democracy to improve working class conditions than under the Liberals.

Disraeli and the Conservative Party  Characteristics of the Conservative Party drew its support from the country landowners favored the monarchy and the Anglican Church favored gradual change more aggressive and imperialistic foreign policy with patriotic appeals to the electorate

Disraeli and the Conservative Party  Tory legislation; removed legal obstacles against striking and picketing health and education acts Colonial wars against Zulus, Afghans, proclaimed Victoria “Empress of India”, bought stock in the Suez Canal, acquired Cyprus

The Extension of Democracy  1884 – Reform Bill (third Reform Bill) under Gladstone: agricultural laborers given the vote  1885 – redistribution of seats in House of Commons so that all districts had the same population

People’s Budget of 1909  This budget attempted to impose progressive tax rates Logic was that rich should be taxed to pay for more welfare measures Was vetoed by the House of Lords Led to new elections in 1910 won by Liberals.

The Extension of Democracy  The House of Lords continued to assert the interests of the upper classes until 1911 when it was deprived of its veto power (over 1909 attempt to veto Lloyd George budget).  1918 – ended plural voting  1919 – “mature “ women given legal equality with men  1928 – vote extended to women

The Labor Party and Social Reform  1895 to 1905, Conservatives in control but gave less attention to social reform.  The 1901 Taff Vale decision gave the Taff vale Railroad compensation for losses incurred during a strike.  This made the labor unions more active in politics (1893 – Independent Labor Party)

The Labor Party and Social Reform  – Labor Party sided with a Liberal Party under PM Herbert Asquith.  Legislation of Labor Liberal coalition was similar to that passed by the American New Deal in the 1930’s Trades Disputes Act (1906) protected union funds Workingman’s Compensation Act (1906) protected against losses from industrial accidents. social security Increased spending for education