ABSTRACT
In continental Europe, Lord Stanley considered Britain simply a spectator of events. He came back to office while the so-called Seven Weeks War between Austria and Prussia was in progress. It ended in crushing defeat for Austria and the universal acknowledgment that Prussia was now the major German-speaking power. Edward Henry Stanley was Foreign Secretary in his father's third minority government and remained in post under Disraeli until the Conservatives lost the election. He returned as Foreign Secretary under Disraeli in 1874, but resigned early in 1878 over what he considered his chief's overly aggressive policy towards Russia. A minister plenipotentiary is given full authority to execute policy, as envoy or ambassador to a foreign power. Foreign policy during the Disraeli government of 1874-80 was dominated by events in south-east Europe. The foreign policy of William Ewart Gladstone's first government followed the general pattern of the 1860s. Conflict, especially in continental Europe, was avoided and compromises sought.
