Disraeli, Gladstone, and the Reform Act of 1867
Location
CSU 284 ABC
Start Date
26-4-2005 8:30 AM
End Date
26-4-2005 10:00 AM
Student's Major
History
Student's College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Mentor's Name
Larry Witherell
Mentor's Department
History
Mentor's College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Description
This research project investigated the rivalry between William Gladstone and Benjamin Disraeli, and how that rivalry resulted in the Reform Act of 1867. The competition between these two over expansion of the franchise led to a more radical reform than expected. Gladstone, a converted Liberal, encouraged moderate changes like a reduction in the householder qualification from £ten to £seven. Disraeli, a moderate Conservative, embraced more expansive reform for political advancement rather than as an extension of the suffrage. It was Disraeli's hope that an enlarged electorate would vote Conservative as a reward for their new privilege. Although some historians give Disraeli credit for the second Reform bill, many connect Gladstone's initial attempts at reform with the bill's final shape. The Reform bill was created out of political infighting as opposed to popular opinion. An examination of the rivalry between Gladstone and Disraeli raises the question of what the bill would have looked like without these two politicians. This project used primary materials such as the parliamentary debates, the London Times newspaper, memoirs, and letters of public figures as well as secondary materials such as books, journals, and dissertations.
Disraeli, Gladstone, and the Reform Act of 1867
CSU 284 ABC
This research project investigated the rivalry between William Gladstone and Benjamin Disraeli, and how that rivalry resulted in the Reform Act of 1867. The competition between these two over expansion of the franchise led to a more radical reform than expected. Gladstone, a converted Liberal, encouraged moderate changes like a reduction in the householder qualification from £ten to £seven. Disraeli, a moderate Conservative, embraced more expansive reform for political advancement rather than as an extension of the suffrage. It was Disraeli's hope that an enlarged electorate would vote Conservative as a reward for their new privilege. Although some historians give Disraeli credit for the second Reform bill, many connect Gladstone's initial attempts at reform with the bill's final shape. The Reform bill was created out of political infighting as opposed to popular opinion. An examination of the rivalry between Gladstone and Disraeli raises the question of what the bill would have looked like without these two politicians. This project used primary materials such as the parliamentary debates, the London Times newspaper, memoirs, and letters of public figures as well as secondary materials such as books, journals, and dissertations.
