1. VictorianEngland Queen Victoria r. 1837-1901

2. Britain: 1850-1870s * The most prosperous period in British history. *BUT, Britain’s prosperity didn’t do away w/ political discontent!

3. The Two “Great Men” * William Gladstone, Liberal Prime Minister  1868-1874  1880-1885  1886  1892-1894 * Benjamin Disraeli, Conservative Prime Minister  1868  1874-1880

4. Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) Conservative

5.  Argued for  aggressive foreign policy,  expansion of British Empire, &  reluctantly supported democratic reforms

6.  Reform Bill of 1832  Gave more political representation to urban industrial districts  Decreased the political power of the House of Lords  Empowered the House of Commons

7. * Disraeli’s Goals:  Give the Conservative Party credit for the reform process.  Labor would be grateful & vote Conservative. The 2 nd Reform Bill - 1867

8. *Components of the Bill:  Doubled the # of men who could vote (still not universal male suffrage)  Extra representation in Parliament to industrial cities like Liverpool & Manchester.

9. William Gladstone (1809-1898)  Most important liberal figure in 19th century England

10.  Supported  Free trade,  extension of democratic principles  Meritocracy  Opposed  imperialism

11. Ballot Act of 1872  Voting by secret ballot

12. Education Act of 1870  Gov’t assumed responsibility for elementary schools  Not the church

13.  Accomplishments:  Domestic Policy  1884 Reform Bill  Extended franchise to agricultural laborers.  Added 6,000,000 to the total # who could vote in parliamentary elections.  1885: Redistribution of Seats Act  changes seats in Commons to reflect new demographic changes.

14. New Groups Emerge

15. Fabianism/Fabian Society  A British socialist intellectual movement founded in the mid-1880s.  Purpose  advance socialism by working through the political system, not through revolution.  Laid the foundations for the British Labour Party.

16. * Founded in 1900 by the Scotsman, Keir Hardie.  The growth of labor unions gave voice to socialism in Britain.  Attracted trade unionists, socialists & those disenchanted w/ the Conservative & Liberal parties. The British Labour Party

17. 1905-1920 Liberal Party Reforms

18. * Most significant political reform during Liberal Party rule * Eliminated significant powers of House of Lords * House of Commons was now the center of national power The Parliament Act of 1911

19. Emmeline Pankhurst * 1858-1928. * Her husband & children were all involved in the suffrage movement. * They became militants & were arrested & imprisoned.

20. * 1917: She and her daughter, Christabel, formed the Women’s Party in 1917:  Equal pay for equal work.  Equal marriage & divorce laws.  Equality of rights & opportunities in public service.  A national system of maternity benefits.

21. Representation of the People Act (1918) * Women over 30 got the right to vote. * All men gained suffrage.  Property qualifications were completely eliminated! *Reform Act of 1928  Women over 21 years of age gained the right to vote at last!

22. The Irish Question 1890-1914

23. Home Rule for Ireland?? Gladstone debates Home Rule in Commons.

24. Irish Home Rule  Movement to give the Irish control of local gov’t  Supported by Gladstone

25.  Opposition to Home Rule  Politicians  Protestant counties in northern Ireland, were growing economically  Irish protestants vs Catholics

26.  WWI interrupted the Irish Question movement  Easter Rebellion 1916  Independence rebellion was crushed by British Troops

27.  1922 Ireland will gain independence w/ N. Ireland remaining part of the British Empire

28. Victorian England: Foreign Policy

29. The Foreign Policy Debate “Big England” Policy “Little England” Policy * Disraeli * Conservative Party * England must be the greatest colonial power. * Spend £ on supporting the empire. * Gladstone. * Liberal Party. * England must invest in her own people at home. * Try negotiations, rather than costly military solutions.

30. Big Idea Activity  Extending Democracy  How?  Go through your notes list down bills and acts that extended democracy  Why do more & more people gain political power?  Contrast the way in which France & Great Britain impose changes