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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!!!