Question
Evaluate the success of Disraeli’s domestic policies.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates are required to appraise the success of Disraeli’s domestic policies. They may wish to outline what he wished to achieve and how far he met his aims, or they may examine the significance of his domestic policies in the wider context. Whichever method is chosen, the focus must be on Disraeli’s key legislation and the impact those policies on Britain.
Indicative content
• Domestic policies could include the Second Reform Act of 1867 when Disraeli was instrumental in splitting the Liberals and enabling the Conservatives to pass this reform bill. He was prime minister from February 1868, after the retirement through ill health of Derby, losing power following the general election in December 1868.
• The main focus of candidates’ responses is likely to be domestic policies while he was Prime Minister between 1874 and 1880, linked to the idea of whether Disraeli put into practice distinctive “One Nation” Conservative measures, as articulated, for example in his speeches in Manchester and Crystal Palace in 1872.
• Some may argue that his policies were successful: Disraeli’s government did carry out a number of social reforms including the Artisans’ Dwellings Act (1875), Agricultural Holdings Act (1875), Public Health Act (1875) and the Factory and Workshop Act (1878). Legislation that allowed trade unions to act more effectively was also passed: the Employers and Workmen Act (1875) and the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act (1875).
• However, it could also be suggested that little really changed as a result of this legislation as much of it was permissive, and allowed local authorities to respond to the legislation as they saw fit, rather than it being compulsory. Nevertheless, this could be argued as a success as stability at home was ensured and this was what Disraeli had promised to the electorate in 1874 after the upheavals of the Gladstone reforms of 1868 to 1874.
• Another argument could be that it was Richard Cross, the Home Secretary, who was responsible for much of the government’s domestic legislation and that Disraeli played little part in its elaboration or implementation.
• Perhaps the success of his domestic policies was more apparent than real, creating the idea of a “One Nation” Conservatism.
Question
Evaluate the successes and failures of Gladstone’s domestic policies between 1868 and 1894.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates must demonstrate a clear understanding of the requirements of the question and appraise the successes and failures of Gladstone’s domestic policies during his four ministries: 1868 to 1874, 1880 to 1885, 1886 and 1892 to 1894.
Indicative content
- One approach could be to emphasize the success of many of Gladstone’s early domestic policies. For example, the Education Act of 1870 and the Elementary Education Act of 1880, the latter making education compulsory to age 10. The Ballot Act of 1872 introduced the secret ballot. There are many other possible examples of reforms from his first ministry, including the Judicature Act, Civil Service and Army reforms.
- A more debatable example could be the Third Reform Act of 1884 that gave the counties the same franchise that the boroughs had gained in 1867. In 1885, there followed the Redistribution of Seats Act, which made electoral districts more equal. It was a success in that a greater proportion of the population now elected MPs under a fairer system. However, the Liberal Party failed to prosper under the new system, suffering defeat in the elections of 1886, 1895 and 1900 and only achieving power in 1892 through an alliance with the Irish Parliamentary Party. Candidates may link these electoral defeats to the Reform Acts of 1884 to 1885.
- In terms of relations with the trade unions, Gladstone passed the Trade Union Act and the Criminal Law Amendment Act, both in 1871. Although the first of these legally recognized trade unions, the second made picketing illegal. It could be argued that these laws did little to shore up Liberal support in urban working class areas and some may suggest that they eventually paved the way for a successful, separate Labour Party.
- There are many other aspects to Gladstone’s domestic policies in this period, for example his wish to restrict government spending, including his opposition to proposed spending increases on the navy, which led to his resignation in 1894.
- Some candidates may also refer to Gladstone’s Irish policy and this is acceptable.
Question
“The problems of urban poverty drove social reform in Victorian Britain.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that social reforms in Victorian Britain were driven mainly by urban poverty. Candidates may identify examples of social reform in Victorian Britain as a starting point and consider the extent to which urban poverty stimulated these reforms. These may include acts to regulate working hours in factories/shops (Factory Acts of 1833 and 1847), to increase the quality of urban housing and end homelessness (Artisans’ Dwellings Act,1875) or to improve infrastructure and public health (Local Government Act, 1861). Other factors that stimulated social reform may include religious conscience, for example Shaftesbury’s Coal Mines Act (1842). Improved conditions in the industrialized towns of the North were often driven by civic pride.
Question
“The emergence of the Labour Party had a limited impact on British politics before 1914.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that up to 1914 the British Labour Party had little impact on British politics. Candidates may examine factors separately and gauge the significance of each, or they may choose to look at several factors that support the statement collectively before examining the opposite arguments. In support of the statement it could be argued that the Labour Party had limited influence on the Liberal government and insufficient support to be considered a viable alternative government with the two traditional parties continuing to dominate politics. Counter arguments could include the growing support for the Labour Party in the country with increasing number of local groups being formed, and its links with the Trades Union Congress (TUC)—especially during the “Great Unrest”. It could also be argued that the Liberal government only survived between 1910 and 1914 because of Labour support in Parliament.