Disraeli and the Art of Victorian Politics

Ian St John

Description

A comprehensive review of the political career of Benjamin Disraeli within the context of Victorian politics.

This book is a comprehensive review of the political career of Benjamin Disraeli, providing a thorough critical analysis of one of the most ambitious and controversial leaders in British history. ‘Disraeli and the Art of Victorian Politics’ is a major addition to our understanding of the dynamics of nineteenth-century politics.

Timeline; Introduction; Disraeli's Political Career, 1804-1846; The Politics of Opposition, 1846-1866; The 1867 Reform Act; Disraeli's Political Ideology; Opposition Again, 1868-1874; Prime Minister, 1874-1880: Domestic Policy; Prime Minister: Foreign and Imperial Policy; Disraeli and the Art of Politics; Notes; Bibliography; Index

Sujets

• Israel
• History of Europe
• Politique

Informations

• Publié par: Anthem Press
• Date de parution: 01 novembre 2010
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781843313694
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

DISRAELI AND THE ART OF VICTORIAN POLITICS

DISRAELI AND THE ART OF VICTORIAN POLITICS

SECOND EDITION

Ian St John

Anthem Press An imprint of Wimbledon Publishing Company www.anthempress.com

This edition first published in UK and USA 2010 by ANTHEM PRESS 7576 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8HA, UK or PO Box 9779, London SW19 7ZG, UK and 244 Madison Ave. #116, New York, NY 10016, USA

Copyright © Ian St John 2010

The author asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

Cover image ‘ Cartoon of Disraeli and Queen Victoria ’ by Sir John Tenniel, Punch, 1876, reproduced with permission of Punch Ltd, www.punch.co.uk

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data A catalog record for this book has been requested.

ISBN13: 978 1 84331 873 6 (Pbk) ISBN10: 1 84331 873 3 (Pbk)

This title is also available as an eBook.

To Jean, Chandrika, Lawrence, and the memory of my father, Roy.

CONTENTS

Timeline Introduction I. Disraeli’s Political Career, 1804–1846 II. The Politics of Opposition, 1846–1866 III. The 1867 Reform Act IV. Disraeli’s Political Ideology V. Opposition Again, 1868–1874 VI. Prime Minister, 1874–1880: Domestic Policy VII. Prime Minister: Foreign and Imperial Policy VIII. Disraeli and the Art of Politics Notes Bibliography Index

ix xi 1 35 73 97 131 143 165 209 223 233 237

1804 1817 1819 1821 1825 1826

TIMELINE OF DISRAELI’S CAREER

1827–30 1830–31 1832 1835

1837 1839 1841 1842–45 1844 1845 1845–46 1846 1847–49 1847 1848 1852

1854–56 1858–59

1859 1861 1864 1865

Benjamin Disraeli enters this earth Disraeli converts from Judaism to Christianity Leaves Higham Hall school Commences training as a solicitor Failed share speculations leave him in debt Failure ofRepresentativenewspaper Publishes first novel,Vivian Grey Disraeli depressed Tours the Middle East Reform Act. Disraeli enters politics, professing radicalism PublishesVindication of the English Constitutionin defence of House of Lords Elected to parliament Marries Mary Anne Peel forms Conservative government. No place for Disraeli Disraeli works with Young England colleagues PublishesConningsby PublishesSybil Corn Law crisis. Disraeli attacks Peel Corn Laws repealed. Fall of Peel. Break up of Conservative party Disraeli emerges as deputy Conservative leader to Lord Derby PublishesTancred Takes up residence at Hughenden Manor Conservative government. Disraeli Chancellor of Exchequer and Leader of Commons. Government resigns on defeat of budget Crimean War. Palmerston ascendant Conservative government. Disraeli Chancellor and Leader of Commons Government resigns on failure of Reform Bill Death of Prince Albert Disraeli’s ‘Ape or Angel’ speech at Oxford Death of Palmerston

x

1866

1866–68 1867

1868

1870

1872

1873 1874 1875

1876

1877

1878

1879

1880

1881

TIMELINE OF DISRAELI’S CAREER

Liberal Reform Bill brought forward by Russell and Gladstone. (June) Defeat of Liberal Bill. Government resigns (July) Hyde Park proreform riots Conservative government Conservatives pass the Second Reform Act, introducing household suffrage in boroughs (February) Retirement of Derby. Disraeli becomes Prime Minister. (November) Gladstone’s Liberals win election Disraeli publishesLothair John Gorst placed in charge of Conservative Central Office Manchester (April) and Crystal Palace (June) speeches (December) Death of Disraeli’s wife Disraeli declines Victoria’s invitation to form a government Conservatives win general election. Disraeli Prime Minister The year of social reform legislation (July) Uprising against Turkish rule in BosniaHerzegovina (November) British government purchases 44 per cent stake in Suez Canal company (May) Disraeli refuses to sign the Berlin Memorandum on Turkish reform (May) Turkish massacre of Bulgarian Christians (August) Disraeli becomes Earl Beaconsfield (September) Gladstone’s pamphlet on ‘Bulgarian atrocities’ (January) Victoria declared Empress of India (April) Transvaal annexed to British South Africa (April) Russia declares war on Turkey (March) Russia forces Treaty of San Stefano on defeated Turks (March) Britain begins preparations for war. Derby resigns as Foreign Secretary (June–July) Disraeli attends Congress of Berlin. Achieves ‘peace with honour’ (November) British force enters Afghanistan (January) British South Africa declares war on Zulus (January) Zulus destroy British force at Ishandhlwana (September) British mission to Afghanistan massacred (March) General election defeat for Conservatives. Disraeli publishesEndymion (March) Last speech to House of Lords (April) Disraeli departs this earth