Leap in the dark

Question 1

Why was leap in the dark a metaphor for Derby referencing the reform act?

Answer 1

It conveyed that ministers and MPs did not know what they were doing or where they might land.

Question 2

Why may the ministers not now where the reform act will leave them?

Answer 2

The alternation of electoral reform and arrangement of constituencies involving the distribution of seats among them which argued the point of what difference refer would make to the political system

Question 3

In what other way was ‘leaping in the dark a metaphor?

Answer 3

A hunting field

Question 4

Why was it metaphorically represented as a hunting field?

Answer 4

Captured the element of trust as much as a sure seat and safe hands to the Conservative Party as Disraeli and Derby led its members on a risky gallop into an unknown country

Question 5

What were the powerful forces in Britain in the 1860s moving towards?

Answer 5

An extension of the political nation

Question 6

What did the radicals and Liberal politicians become convinced about in Britain after the American civil war surrounding the working class?

Answer 6

That its growth in prosperity and respectability had rendered the skilled working classes worthy of admission to privileges and responsibilities of full citizenship

Question 7

What did reform depend on mainly?

Answer 7

How individuals and groups understood great social forces and sought to advance, exploit or resist them.

Question 8

What were the government and parliament not intimidated by?

Answer 8

Pressure of agitation

Question 9

What actvities from different groups helped persuade politicians of settling the reform question?

Answer 9

• Middle class reform union
• Working class adherents of the reform league
• John Bright

Question 10

How did social forces impact reform in 1866-67?

Answer 10

Positively and pushed parliament towards reform

Question 11

How does the Conservative Party view the reform act?

Answer 11

Concentrates on Derby and Disraeli to rename their party a party of government.

Question 12

Why were the conservatives in a minority position in to House of Commons?

Answer 12

Due to the party split over the repeal of the corn laws

Question 13

Why were the conservatives miserable between 1846-66?

Answer 13

As Palmerston was very appealing towards the people and performed the function of gathering a nation very adequately.

Question 14

What did reform in 1866 cause?

Answer 14

Divide the coalition which governed Britain since 1846

Question 15

What was Derby and Disraeli’s opportunity at securing a conservative government?

Answer 15

Helping the whigs to subdue the Liberal left

Question 16

How did the Russell-Gladstone bill plan to damage the conservative interests?

Answer 16

A partisan scheme of redistribution and county franchise arrangements which would undermine they strength in their traditional strong holds.

Question 17

How were Disraeli and Derby careful?

Answer 17

To not commit themselves against reform

Question 18

Why was it an advantage to keep the details o reform with conservatives?

Answer 18

SO franchise and redistribution could fit their needs

Question 19

What did the conservatives have greater faith in and this in turn caused them to have less terror of what?

Answer 19

Had greater faith in the responsiveness of the masses to traditional authority and felt less terror of their impact on politics and society.

Question 20

How were the liberals perceived as wanting and believing?

Answer 20

They believed a competitive and individualistic society feared working men would mechanically employ their votes to promote their class interests

Question 21

What does enfranchisement mean?

Answer 21

To give the right to vote

Question 22

What is partisanship?

Answer 22

Bias

Question 23

Why did the conservatives follow their leaders blind leaps?

Answer 23

They enjoyed the exhilirarion of seeing their reform gamble exacerbate their opponents divisions and disrupt Gladstone’s hold on his party