AQA A Level History Industrialisation Chapter 19

What brought about a significant realignment of the two main parties in 1846?

The damage suffered by the Conservative Party over the repeal of the Corn Laws

What were the 5 political groups in Parliament after 1846?

1. Peelites
2. Protectionist Conservatives
3. Whigs
4. Radicals
5. Irish MPs

Who did the Irish MPs support in Parliament after 1846?

Whatever party would concede to their demands

When did Robert Peel die?

2nd July 1850

Who did the Radicals support after 1846?

Generally the Whigs, although on some issues they criticised the Whigs

How many ministries were there between 1846 and 1868?

9

When were the Navigation Acts repealed?

1849

When were the Navigation Acts first introduced?

The late 17th century

When did Palmerston die?

18th October 1865

When was the Liberal Party formed?

9th June 1859

What were seen as emerging from the political uncertainty of 1846-68?

New, robust political alignments and the beginnings of a modern party system

How many Irish MPs were there in 1846?

105

What were the Navigation Acts?

The colonies could only import goods on ships built in England

Which group supported Lord Russell during his first ministry?

The Peelites

Who was Prime Minister from 1846-52?

Lord Russell

Who were the ruling party from 1846-52?

Whigs

Who became Prime Minister for a short period in 1852?

Lord Derby

What party did Lord Derby belong to?

Conservative

What party did Benjamin Disraeli belong to?

Conservative

What caused the defeat of Lord Aberdeen's ministry?

The stress of the Crimean War

What was the ruling coalition from 1852-55?

Whig-Peelite

What party did Lord Palmerston belong to?

Whig

Who was Prime Minister from 1855-58?

Lord Palmerston

What was a feature of all 4 Conservative governments from 1846-68?

Had no workable majority or was politically powerless (Derby's 3rd ministry the only one with a majority)

Who was Prime Minister from 1858-59?

Lord Derby

Who was Prime Minister from 1859-65?

Lord Palmerston

What was the ruling coalition from 1859-65?

Whig-Peelite and Liberals

Who was Prime Minister from 1865-66?

Lord Russell

What was the ruling coalition from 1865-66?

Whigs, Peelites, Liberals and Radicals

What was the chief concern of both of Lord Palmerston's Prime Ministries?

Foreign policy

What did Palmerston do in domestic politics in his 2nd ministry?

Blocked all reform

Who did Russell hand over leadership of the Liberal Party upon his retirement in 1866?

Gladstone

What was the main achievement of Lord Derby's 3rd ministry?

Passed the Second Reform Act in 1867

Who was Prime Minister from 1866-68?

Lord Derby

Who did Lord Derby leave as PM after his 1868 retirement (for a brief period)?

Benjamin Disraeli

What did the Conservatives realise by the 1850s that they would have to do?

Abandon Protectionism in order to attract industry and commerce

What valuable work was done within the Conservative Party in the 1850s?

Internal party reorganisation

What important reform did Lord Derby introduce in 1858?

The abolishment of the property qualification to stand as an MP, as well as allowing practising Jews to sit in Parliament

How long was Disraeli in office during his first ministry?

278 days

Who did Queen Victoria prefer out of Disraeli and Gladstone?

Disraeli

What 2 factors were gradually increasing the size of the electorate throughout the mid 19th century?

1. A generally growing population
2. Increased prosperity thanks to continuing industrialisation meaning that more and more men met the property qualifications to vote

What positive changes did Queen Victoria bring to the monarchy as an institution?

The restoration, through her own personal integrity, of some of the dignity and popular appeal of the institution

What political changes occurred in the function of the monarchy under Queen Victoria?

It had much less power to influence elections, which in turn reduced the monarch's influence in the Commons

What were Britain's monarchs mocked in the press for before the accession of Queen Victoria?

For being vulgar, extravagant, stupid and for having low morals

Did Queen Victoria have any real political power?

No- her ministers humoured her, but she rarely got her way

Over which two positions' appointment did Queen Victoria wield her influence?

Bishops and high-ranking army officers

Which four groups formed the new Liberal party?

Whigs, Liberals, Radicals and Peelites

What pressing political aim united the founders of the Liberal Party in 1859?

The need to remove Lord Derby's minority Conservative administration

When did the first true Liberal government take office?

10th June 1859 under Palmerston

By what point was party organisation becoming seen as essential?

The 1860s

What act transformed party politics in the 1860s and why?

Second Reform Act, which expanded the electorate

What contributed to political instability in the mid-19th century?

The lack of true party loyalty or organisation in the absence of the old system of patronage

How did the 1832 Reform Act change the composition of the Whig Party?

It brought the election of a number of middle-class professionals to represent the boroughs, the majority of whom went to the Whigs

When did the first Liberals begin to emerge?

When a group of the more junior Whigs began to distance themselves from the more aristocratic wing of the Party following 1832

What did the first Liberals believe in?

Individual liberty, free trade, freedom of the press and religious freedom

What religious groups did many of the first Liberals belong to?

Dissenters or Nonconformists, who believed in the separation of Church and State

How did the aristocratic Whigs feel about further political reform after 1832?

They were in favour as long as it was strictly controlled

What was the background of most of the early Liberals?

They were from middle-class business, legal or professional backgrounds

What background did the Peelites come from?

Wealthy industrial and commercial backgrounds

Who was seen as a leading Peelite?

Gladstone

What doctrine did many of the 1850s Radicals adopt?

Utilitarianism

What proportion of the parliamentary Liberal Party drew their wealth from land ownership when it was first formed?

Around half

What three reforms were 1850s Radicals in favour of?

1. Extension of the franchise
2. Removal of government restrictions
3. Free trade

Who was perhaps the most influential radical in the Liberal party?

John Bright

What class were most 1850s Radicals?

Middle-class

What did the 1850s Radicals oppose?

Political and economic domination of the landowning classes, and the privileged position of the established Church of England

Who were the main group in the early Liberal party which consistently supported reform?

The small group of Radicals

What two doctrines were the early Liberal party big supporters of?

Laissez-Faire and self-help