Challenges to the Status Quo, c.1886 - 1914: Political developments c.1886-1905; (complete) Flashcards
What were the results of the 1886 general election, following Gladstone’s Home Rule Bill defeat?
The Conservatives, under Lord Salisbury won a clear majority
Held onto support in Parliament of most of 79 Liberal Unionists (split from Libs over Gladstone Home Rule conversion), although there wasn’t a former alliance
Salisbury became PM for 2nd time, gathered an intellectually indifferent cabinet apart from Randolph Churchill- Leader of Commons/Chancellor of Exchequer but fell foul of Salisbury in few months, left gov
What was the key chronology of PM’s from 1886-1905?
1886- Gladstone (3rd ministry)
1886-92- Lord Salisbury (2nd ministry)
1892-94- Gladstone (4th ministry)
1894-95- Lord Rosebery (lib)
1895-1902- Lord Salisbury (3rd ministry)
1902-05- A.J Balfour
How long were conservatives dominating the government for from 1886?
Remained in office until 1905, except for brief time in 1892-94 when Gladstone was last in office
What was the Conservatives’ astonishing victory in the 1895 election?
Salisbury + Conservatives won victory w/ 341 seats over 177 Lib seats w/ additional support from 70 Lib Unionists
What were the reasons for Conservative dominance to 1905?
Divisions in Lib Party following Home Rule split- The Liberal Unionists undoubtedly strengthened the Cons position in parliament and weakened the Libs
Middle-class support- Vote moving gradually to Cons, seen as party who resisted too much change. 1865; no cons returned for London Borough, in 1900; 67/75 seats.
Attitudes towards imperialism- While Libs had no consensus on imperialism, Cons celebrated the ‘Age of Imperialism’. There was popular sentiment, enthusiasm for imperialism & pride in the nation
Improved Conservative Party organisation- Richard Middleton controlled this, his advice was of great value to Salisbury. Increased # of constituency agents & organised them on a regional basis. Revamped National Union, made it a propaganda tool for party
Conservative social reform- Limited # & not enough to demand social reformers but better than what discordant Libs had to offer. To some, the Libs had become a party w/ little appeal to middle or working class voters
What was the outcome of the 1900 election?
-Possible wave of patriotism over Boer War, rather than social reform record (contrast w/ Libs divided over war)
-Election; named “khaki election”, reflected patriotic fervour felt at time toward gov expansion of Empire
Who succeeded Salisbury in 1902 and what were his political opinions?
His nephew AJ Balfour; politically astute but wealthy aristocratic background/outlook and detached manner meant he had little in common w/ ordinary people. His fellow parliamentarians had similar backgrounds but his intellect/philosophical interests increased his aloofness
Believed in parliamentary democracy as long as masses voted for upper classes
Why did Balfour’s government face criticism and what did he decide to do in 1905?
-His policy on education + tariff reform & lack of any social reform turned the electorate away from voting Conservative
-By 1905, they were still in gov but faced mounting criticism
-Instead of calling a general election, Balfour announced his party’s resignation from gov
-So, a Lib gov took over & in Jan 1906 they called a general election
What were the reasons for the divisions within the Liberal Party?
-Home Rule & Liberal party split; Gladstone’s conversion to Home Rule was a blow to the party, Joseph Chamberlain left the party over it. Liberal Unionists & Whigs split from the party. 1895; Libs who split + Chamberlain joined Conservatives= became Conservatives Unionists
-Divisions over social reform; Tensions betw older Laissez-Faire Libs & Radical Libs like Chamberlain, who favoured stronger social reform + thought Gladstone was out of touch from electorate
-Attitudes to imperialism; Sig group of Libs (Lib Imperialists) wanted to align party w/ imperialism- led by Lord Rosebury. Unhappiness at party’s lack of engagement w/ this. Anti-Imperialists against further colonial commitments
-Personal tensions; Antipathy betw Chamberlain + Gladstone not only due to Home Rule but deep-rooted, as destructive as other issues.
Who succeeded Gladstone in 1894 and what were the results of the 1895 election?
Lord Rosebury; keen & clever but inexperienced in Commons- almost impossible to be Gladstone’s successor
Suffered defeat in 1895 election as had little to attract mass of working class who they gave vote to 10 years earlier
Who was appointed as Liberal leader in 1895 + their personality?
-Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman; rather dull, largely unknown leader.
-Was no match to Salisbury, who was an accomplished politician
Why did the Labour movement gain strength in the late 19th century?
Grew out of enormous political, social, economic changes of period + development of trade unionism
Extension of franchise in 1884 to unskilled labourers strengthened political position of working class
Cons + Libs couldn’t ignore social needs, by late 1880s reform stimulated development of Labour movement to form a political party for WC.
What was the Fabian Society?
-Set up by Sydney Webb + Beatrice Webb, 1884.
-Prolific socialist writings designed to persuade Gov to introduce social reform
-Fabiansm; belief that socialism would come about gradually and not through revolution
Who were the key leaders of the socialist movement which had a kinship between socialism and liberalism?
The Webbs, socialist leaders like Keir Hardie & Ramsay-MacDonald, new Liberals like Charles Trevelyan
What were the socialist’s aims and beliefs?
-Didn’t wish to bring about change by violent revolution
-Worked on theory if they made socialist ideas respectable, the public would accept them
-Wanted separate socialist party- contributed a lot of beliefs to the Labour Party like importance of working class education, transport & industry
Did the 2 major parties cater to the needs of the working classes?
-Neither Libs or Cons satisfied needs of recently enfranchised working classes
-Gladstone believed in reforms to certain extent but was preoccupied w/ Ireland, didn’t agree w/ state making provisions for poor
-He still believed in laissez-faire, self-help and refused to accept Chamberlain’s plan to tackle social reform, was too concerned w/ foreign affairs
How did Keir Hardie try to increase Labour/ILP influence and was this effective?
-Keir Hardie’s vision= extend political influence of Labour. As a union delegate sought endorsement of ILP from TUC at annual conference.
-TUC was still dominated by craft unions; members clung on self-help ethic, regarded socialist ILP w/ suspicion, refusing endorsement for sev years running.
-Future of ILP looked unpromising; was small, under-funded & lacked essential union support.
Who was James Keir Hardie and how did he contribute to the emergence of Labour?
-Keir Hardie, Scottish miners’ union organiser; chief instigator.
-1888; stood as first Scottish Labour candidate, had failed to win seat.
-As a result- founded Scottish Labour Party. -Spurred on other working men (eg union leaders) to form local labour groups - mostly N Eng, Midlands + central Scot.
-1892; Hardie & Burns (dockers’ leader)- 1st independent Labour MPs, gaining seats in 2 by-elections.
How was the Independent Labour Party formed and what were its aims?
-1893; Hardie helps form new socialist group, Independent Labour Party (ILP), in Bradford & is elected chairman & leader.
-Determined ILP would stand on its own, not be treated as ‘poor relation of Liberal Party, used to keep them in office.
-ILP stood for practical reforms to benefit working people.
-Demanded 8hr working day,national scheme of unemployment & sickness insurance, a tax on unearned income, and the end of child labour.
What were the results of the 1895 general election like for the ILP?
-1895 general election not one of 28 ILP candidates won a seat, incl Hardie & Burns. -Major setback for ILP, but against odds, Hardie continued to attempt to broaden appeal of ILP by cooperating w/ trade unions, recruiting new members + promoting women’s movements. -Conservatives returned to office w/ huge majority; no need to show interest in social reform/labour politics.
What were the changes to the Trade Union movement and how did the older craft unions adapt to this?
-1899; changes in TU movement; became increasingly dominated by big new mass unions, whose main aim= improve conditions of workers & whose growing # kept funds in healthy state.
-The older craft unions, concerned at growth of new unions, began to adapt to meet changing circumstances.
-Allowed recruitment of unskilled members at lower subscription & prepared to be more militant.
-Started to adopt socialist ideas & recognise need for Gov to put in plan for social reform.
What did Keir Hardie believe the trade unions and socialist groups should do, what happened as a result?
-Keir Hardie had believed the various trade unions & different socialist groups should join forces, form 1 large political party.
-In spite of changes in TU movement, still opposition among the craft union leaders to idea of separate WC party.
-1899; annual conference of TU Congress voted by slim majority to hold conference of labour groups, societies & union reps to discuss how to increase parliamentary rep.
What was the Labour Representation Committee and what was its purpose?
-Feb 1900- Labour Representation Committee (LRC) formed from union representatives, ILP, local Labour parties & members of socialist societies, eg Fabians.
-The LRC’s purpose; represent WC interests in Parliament. Ramsay MacDonald= 1st secretary.
Why did several craft unions refuse their support for the LRC and why was this impactful?
-They were still not convinced by socialist arguments.
-Left IRC short of much-needed funds, additional organisational skills & leadership talents of influential craft unions.
What events finally prompted the craft unions to join the LRC?
-Unions judged to be liable for damages to employers caused by strike action
-Conservative gov’s refusal to introduce legislation to protect unions
-These eventually convinced craft unions they needed WC party in Parliament to protect their interests, finally joined LRC.
What was the Lib-Lab Pact of 1903 and its impact?
-The LRC Secretary, (Ramsay MacDonald) & Liberal Chief Whip Herbert Gladstone entered into a secret pact over electoral policy.
-LRC agreed not to put up candidates against Liberals in any parliamentary election, in constituencies where the anti-Conservative vote might be split
-in exchange; got a free run in 35 constituencies where LRC had a strong chance of winning a seat.
-seemed a wise move on the part of both the Liberal and Labour Party.
-Strengthened LRC’s position
What year was the LRC renamed the Labour Party?
1906
