Gladstone and Disraeli at Home and Abroad, 1868−94

This chapter focuses on the political and administrative reforms, and the foreign policies, of the years dominated by the two personalities of Gladstone and Disraeli. The substantial programme of social and public health reforms carried through in these years is the subject of Chapter 4, and the issue of Ireland, the solving of which became Gladstone’s overriding ‘mission’, is discussed in Chapter 6. Thus it will be useful, when you have read the relevant parts of those two chapters, to consider the achievements of each of the ministries, and indeed of these prime ministers, and possibly create a unified time line. Historical background

Political and administrative reforms 1868–74

Foreign affairs 1868–74

Political and administrative reforms 1874–80

Foreign affairs 1874–80

Political and administrative reforms 1880–85

Foreign affairs 1880–85

Changes in ministry 1885–6

Political and administrative reforms 1886–92

Foreign affairs 1886–92

Political and administrative reforms 1892–4

Foreign affairs 1892–4

Essays

Parliamentary reform

Defence

Local government and administration

Disraeli and Gladstone compared

The Balkans

South Africa

Egypt and the Sudan

The Empire

Sources

Gladstone and Disraeli compared

Issues in Foreign Policy

Historical skills

A formal debate about the Secret Ballot Act

Research seminar: The British Empire

Chronology

1868	https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781315013008/383896ad-41d8-4510-9d94-e2681f8a6c94/content/inline_39_B.jpg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/>	Gladstone and Liberals into power
1869–74		Cardwell’s Army Reforms
1871		London Conference to settle Black Sea Clauses
1870–1		Civil Service Reforms
1871		Trade Union Act
1871		Criminal Law Amendment Act
1872		Secret Ballot Act
1872		Alabama Arbitration
1873–4		Ashanti War
1874		Disraeli and Conservatives into power
1875		Purchase of Suez Canal shares
1876		Royal Titles Act
1878		Balkan Crisis: Congress of Berlin
1879		First Afghan War
1879		Zulu War
1880		Gladstone and the Liberals into power
1881		Second Afghan War
1881		First Boer War
1881		Death of Disraeli: Lord Salisbury Leader of the Opposition
1881		Arabi Pasha’s rebellion: British take-over of Egypt
1884–5		Third Reform Act and Redistribution of Seats Act
1884–5		Siege of Khartoum and death of General Gordon
1884–5		Congress in Berlin about annexation of lands in Africa
1885–6		Ministerial changes: Conservative, then Liberal ministries
1886		Salisbury and Conservatives in power
1887–9		Annexations in East and South Africa
1887		Treaties signed with Italy and Austria-Hungary
1888		County Councils Act
1892		Gladstone and Liberals in power
1894		Harcourt’ s Death Duties Act