unstable government

divided political parties

how did the split over the repeal of the corn laws in 1846 affect the Conservative Party?

it weakened their ability to govern

divided political parties

1. when was the Liberal party formed?

2. who formed the party? (3)

1. 1859

2. Whigs, Radicals + Peelites

divided political parties

1. what was there a rise of?

2. what is an example of this + what did they want?

3. how was this different to the Whigs + Conservatives previously?

1. new political identities

2. Liberals - want reform

3. Whigs + Conservatives previously had similar ideologies

impact on reform

1. how many ministries were there between 1851 + 1867?

2. why did the 1850s have little political reform?

3. how long did most governments last?

1. 9 ministries between 1851 and 1867

2. due to constant reshuffling of governments between 1846-1859

3. 1-3 years

impact on reform

1. which parties did the government constantly switch between in the 1850s?

2. what is an example of this?

1. Conservatives + Whigs/coalitions

2. Derby’s first conservative government only lead in 1852

impact on reform

1. when did governments last longer?

2. what is an example of this?

1. 1859 onwards

2. Palmerston’s Liberal government (1859-1865)

impact on reform

after which reform act did political parties begin to stabilise?

second reform act of 1867

key figures and their roles

1. who was John Russell?

2. when were his 2 governments formed?

1. Whig/Liberal PM

2. 1846-1852 + 165-1866

key figures + their roles

why were John Russell’s governments weak + ineffective?

he was devoted to ideas of political + social reform but unable to inspire his political followers

key figures + their roles

1. why was John Russell unpopular with conservative Whigs?

2. what did he believe about the franchise?

1. he wanted religious toleration for Jews + Dissenters

2. it should be extended to some working class

key figures + their roles

1. who was Lord Palmerston?

2. when were his 2 governments?

1. Whig/Liberal PM

2. 1855-1858 + 1859-1865

key figures + their roles

1. what did Lord Palmerston concentrate on? (3)

2. what did this win him?

1. foreign affairs, patriotism + promoting British interests abroad

2. popular support

key figures + their roles

1. what treaty did Palmerston make + when?

2. what did it end?

3. what was he able to make it appear as despite it being less than satisfactory?

1. Treaty of Paris (1856)

2. ended Crimean War

3. made it appear a success

key figures + their roles

1. who was Lord Derby?

2. how many governments did he lead + what type of governments were they?

1. Conservative PM

2. 3 minority governments

key figures + their roles

who did Lord Derby often rely on as his spokesman in the House of Commons?

Disraeli

key figures + their roles

1. what did Lord Derby abolish?

2. when?

1. abolished property qualification to stand as an MP

2. 1858

key figures + their roles

what were the original property qualifications to stand as an MP? (2)

• county MPs → had to possess property worth £600

• borough MPs → had to possess property worth £300

key figures + their roles

1. who did Lord Derby allow to sit in Parliament in which year?

2. what act did he introduce in 1867?

1. Jews (1858)

2. Second Reform Act

key figures + their roles

who did Derby nominate as his successor when he fell ill?

Disraeli

key governments + their failures

1. when was the ‘Who? Who? government’?

2. who was it led by?

3. why was it called this? (2)

1. 1852

2. Lord Derby

3. many MPs did not recognise Derby’s cabinet members + lacked sufficient people of right experience

   → intelligent men e.g Gladstone split off to join Peelites in 1846

key governments + their failures