ABSTRACT
The distinction between ‘foreign’ and ‘imperial’ policies was established in Chapter 5. ‘Imperial’ policies relate directly to colonial issues within or adjacent to the British Empire, although these may have a direct impact on ‘foreign’ policy since they affect relations between the European powers involved. ‘Imperialism’ can be seen as momentum towards spreading influence into undeveloped areas. Colonial acquisitions were relatively limited in the mid-nineteenth century and few politicians openly favoured imperialism. However, between 1874 and the end of the century colonisation steadily accelerated, reaching its peak in the 1890s. Any comparison between Gladstone and Disraeli brings out a paradox: Gladstone, in theory opposed to imperialism, presided over more colonial additions than Disraeli, who was an ardent imperialist (see Analysis 1).
