Disraelian Conservatism

• What was Disraelian Conservatism


  • One Nationism (bridge gap between rich & poor)
  • Paternalism
  • Free Trade
  • Palmerstonian Approach to Foreign Policy (he was neo-Palmerstonian)
  • Uphold the balance of the constitution
  • Defend & maintain Britain's Empire internationally
• Disraeli believed in low government spending which limited his ability to pass successful legislation as successful legislation required expense
• Disraeli's legislation was expensive

  Limited the extent to which British power was asserted
• Britain was isolated


  Made it hard for them to assert power internationally
• Lord Derby was indecisive and not committed


  Caused tension within the party
• Palmerston's approach to foreign policy was neglectful of humanitarian interest


  Caused tension and his approach was outdated and therefore did not have the same impact it did 10 years ago
• Disraeli placed faith in untrustworthy people such as Lord Carnarvon, Bartle Frere and Lord Lytton & Derby
• Refusal to sign the memorandum proposed by the Dreikaiserbund


  • Memorandum called upon Turks to reform their government during the Turkish Balkan Crisis 1876
  • Dreikaiserbund threw off European Balance of Power, signing it would legitimise them
• Pushing Russia to accept Macedonia (under Turkish control) instead of Bulgaria (large & independent)


  • Ensured Turkey would not get the strong, maintained territorial integrity
• Confederation of South Africa 1877


  • Lord Carnarvon planned to confederate British & Dutch settlements in South Africa to strengthen hold
• Zulu War 1878


  • Sir Bartle Frere confronted Zulus for attacking Eastern territories
  • Disraeli was distracted by the Balkan Crisis and as a result 1200 British troops were massacred at Isandlwana
• Afghan Wars 1878 & 1879


  • Cranbrook and Lytton believed the best way to preserve British control from Russia was to annex States on N-W frontier of India
  • Resulted in British troops, including Sir Louis Cavagnari, being murdered by Afghan soldiers in Kabul
• Disraeli Achieved?

  • Territorial integrity (visual expression of the Power of England)
  • Balkan crisis asserted British power
  • Dreikaiserbund's power is lessened
  • Foreign affairs increased electorates
  • Foreign affairs attacked Liberals neglection of them
  • Empress of India strengthened Disraeli and the Queen's relationship resulting in more electorates
  • Restricted the power of Russia
• Factory Reform


  1. 1874 Factory Act faced working hours to 10 hours and had an impact on the development of trade unions

  2. Demands of the Nine Hours Movement pressured the government

  3. Factory and Workshops Act 1878 brought factories and workshops under supervision
• Housing Reform


  1. Artisans Dwelling Act 1875 allowed local authorities to purchase and clear slums and replace them with improved housing

  2. It was highly limited under Joseph Chamberlain however as only 10 out of the 87 English and Welsh towns had taken any action
• Public Health Reform


  1. Public Health Act 1875 established a system of powers and checks on sanitary matters and local authorities

  • THE PUBLIC HEALTH ACT WAS PERMISSIVE BUT B.H. ABBOT ARGUES IT 'LAY THE FOUNDATIONS OF MODERN PUBLIC HEALTH' AS THERE WERE 'NO MAJOR CHANGES REQUIRED FOR OVER 60 YEARS'

  2. Sale of Food and Drugs Act 1875 laid down standards over the adulteration of food, which had a long lasting impact

  3. Rivers Pollution Act 1875 led to offer an adequate way of prosecuting polluters
• Trade Union Reform


  1. Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act 1875 was as a response to the Trades Union Act made by the Liberals, it allowed peaceful picketing

  2. Employers and Workmen Act 1875 recognised the relationship between the employer and employee is a capitalist economy and it set up a series of offences which would be treated under the civil law
• Education Reform


  Elementary Education Act 1876 increased the pressure on working class parents to send their children to school by setting up School Attendance Committees
• Fiscal Reform


  1. 1874 Sir Stafford Northcote reduced income tax, abolished duties on sugar and extended grants in aid for local authority expenditure

  2. Sinking Fund was established to reduce the National Debt, however income tax was later raised to meet the expense of agricultural depression and colonial wars in South Africa (TEMPORARY)
• Social Reform


  1. Friendly Societies Act 1875 aimed to establish the rights of societies and improve financial stability without waving any responsibility of the government

  2. Unseaworthy Ships Act 1875 failed to produce any real change as well as the Merchant Shipping Act which was at voluntary level so the minimum load lines were not effective
• Agricultural Reform


  1. Agricultural Holdings Act 1875 was a measure to extend farmers in England to something of the protection given to their Irish counterparts after the Land Act 1870, ensuring compensation for their improvements however it was permissive and landlord rights were preserved

  2. Endlessness Act 1876 helped protect remaining areas of common land
• In Ireland 1875, there was an agricultural depression which resulted in land war, yet Disraeli did nothing to solve these economic problems
• Again in 1880, Great Britain and Ireland were experiencing serious effects from the wet summers and falling prices yet Disraeli did virtually nothing to alleviate the problem
• Licensing Reform


  Intoxicating Liquors Act 1874 in opposition to the Bruce Licensing Act, however it pleased nobody and trading hours were even further restricted
• Religious Reform


  Public Worship Regulation Act 1874 was a campaign against 'rituals' in the Church of England, associated with Anglo Catholicism. It was supported by the Queen but did have Anglo-Catholic resentment
• Where Gladstone neglected foreign & imperial policy, Disraeli did not
• A majority of legislation was passed by others, not Disraeli, and did not 'elevate the Conditions of the people' e.g. Lord Sandon's Elementary Education Act 1876
• Disraeli's Failures?

  • temporary success with the Balkan Crisis 1876 - they experienced significant unrest and caused WW1
  • opposition from people as he trusted poorly experienced ministers - this led to failures internationally
• What did C.C. Eldridge say?

  'own weakness as PM... failure to oversee Cabinet ministers'