What Was Interparty Conflict in Regards to Empire in the Years 1857-1890?

Who was Disraeli?

●     Twice prime minister and regarded in 1870s as a great supporter for Empire from Crystal Palace speech in 1872. Leader of Conservatives.

What did he believe about the Empire?

●     Disraeli asserted that Conservatives were ‘party of empire’ and that Liberal opponents would allow Empire to crumble.

●     Said in infamous Crystal Palace speech 1872, that ‘in my opinion no minister in this country will do his duty who neglects any opportunity of reconstructing as much as possible our colonial empire’.

How was his government involved in expanding and/or administering the Empire?

●     Expanded right to vote for 1.5 million working class men with 1867 Reform Act. Allowed him to play the ‘imperial card’.

●     In 1875, he purchased Is’mail Pasha’s shares to Suez Canal for £4 million.

●     In 1876, Disraeli supported bill which appointed Queen Victoria Empress of India. Passed in 1877 as Royal Titles Act.

●     Tried to turn Afghanistan into a client state with Treaty of Gandamak in 1879.

●     Annexed Boer republic of the Transvaal in 1877 and launched war on Zulu and Pedi tribes in hope of establishing British confederation over Southern Africa. Proved a failure and British troops were humiliated at Isandlwana in January 1879 before securing victory a few months later. Contributed to the Liberal government winning election in 1880.

Who was Gladstone?

●     Leader of Liberal Party. Prime Minister from 1890s.

What did he believe about the Empire?

●     Britain needed to avoid new acquisitions and concentrate on developing existing colonies, helping them towards self-government.

●     Distinguished between ‘imperialism’, which he opposed and ‘Empire’ which he supported. In eyes of him and Liberals, Disraeli’s ‘imperialist’ talk was dangerous and stirred up ‘jingoism’.

How was his government involved in expanding and/or administering the Empire?

●     Gladstone had to defend British garrisons which were attacked by Boers, heralding First Boer War of 1880-1. After troops were defeated at Majuba Hill in February 1881, Gladstone declined to commit further troops, time or money to uphold Disraeli’s ambition for British hegemony over South Africa.

●     Mahdist rebellion in Egypt forced Gladstone to take action in region. Gladstone ordered withdrawl of British troops in 1884 in Sudan. Wasn’t re-elected due to slaughtering of British troops in Khartoum in 1885. Queen condemned him as did British public for not intervening earlier.

●     Gladstone became embroiled in Egypt for maintaining Suez Canal. He sent troops in 1881 to stop Arabi Pasha’s uprising. In 1882, Tewfiq installed as puppet ruler in newly occupied territory.

●     Surprisingly, more territory was acquired to Empire under Gladstone than under Disraeli. In 1884-5, the Berlin Conferences led Gladstone to establish protectorates in Somaliland and Bechuanaland due to maintain influence in region. Tswana being left in power in British Bechuanaland suggests Gladstone was a ‘reluctant imperialist’,

●     Hesitancy also exhibited when Germany claimed Pacific Island of New Guinea in 1884. Gladstone resisted intervention and prospect of direct confrontation with Germany. Instead premier of Queensland ordered occupation of the Island’s south eastern zone to establish British control.

●     Supported Home Rule for Ireland, again confirming reluctant imperialism.