Which important sections of th
On becoming Prime Minister in 1868 Gladstone had a 'mission to pacify Ireland'. This was going to be partly responsible for the loss of power after one term when the Liberal Party had been at its electoral victory at its highest level of popularity and more united than it was to ever be again in the nineteenth century. It was called by Ensor 'the greatest ministry of Victoria's reign' however this was more to do with its speed and the issues taken on in its early years than the outstanding ability of its ministers as a whole. The government was very much a 'mixed ministry' with Whigs, Radicals and Peelites however the Whigs dominated. The new 'middle class' ministers were in control of the departments with the greatest legislative responsibilities. Gladstone who approved of what was done left the details of the bills to his ministers whilst he was engaged in the pacification of Ireland, which he thought would be achieved by reforms of land, religion and education.A major cause of upset among Liberal supporters was Forster's 1870 Education Act as it failed to provide the system of free, national and secular education that the Nonconformists were committed. The nonconformists were a key pillar of support, within the Libera
It could be argued that it was the Liberal association with disestablishment and opposition to religious education in schools because of non-conformist and Radical pressure that lost the election as the country was fearful of these forces in the party. It was however probably the rise of the working classes in strength and influence that led to the disenchantment with Gladstonian Liberalism. The Middle Classes who were increasingly aware of their status of men of property were to swing to the Conservatives who they felt offered a more secure future for their interests. The disunity of the Liberal Party and its lack of organisation compared to its opponents exacerbated the Liberals difficult situation and so it was inevitable they would lose power. Gladstone lost the election as he had upset different groups. The nonconformists were a factor but they were concentrated in under-represented cities in the North and Midlands. Thirty-four unauthorised Liberals stood but due to division in the party, the Liberal Chief whip estimated the nonconformists were only responsible for the loss of 13 seats. Gladstone said that 'we have been borne down in a torrent of gin and beer' in reference to the 'brewers revolt' in opposition to the 1872 Licensing Act which limited opening hours. The brewing industry was powerful but Gladstone was probably exaggerating its effect. The Working Men's issue of the Criminal Law Amendment Act was probably far more influential in the Liberal defeat as they given advice by their leaders to abstain but some probably voted Conservative. The turning point from success to failure for the Liberal government was in 1873 once the burst of reforms in the early years ended and nothing was left to unite the Party. The government was rapidly losing support from the nonconformists, working men, Roman Catholics and Radicals and so a large section of the party was being lost. When Gladstone was returned as Prime Ministe
Some common words found in the essay are:
Liberal Party, Amendment Act, Education Act, Peelites Whigs, Trade Union, Liberal Chief, Joseph Chamberlain, Church England, Prime Minister, School Boards, liberal party, trade union, church england, amendment act, disestablishment church england, disestablishment church, law amendment act, law amendment, trade unions, act passed, trade union movement, criminal law, liberal supporters, upset liberal supporters, criminal law amendment,
Approximate Word count = 1313
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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