Evaluate the successes and failures of Gladstone’s domestic policies between 1868 and 1894.

Candidates must demonstrate a clear understanding of the requirements of the question and appraise the successes and failures of Gladstone’s domestic policies during his four ministries: 1868 to 1874, 1880 to 1885, 1886 and 1892 to 1894.

Indicative content

• One approach could be to emphasize the success of many of Gladstone’s early domestic policies. For example, the Education Act of 1870 and the Elementary Education Act of 1880, the latter making education compulsory to age 10. The Ballot Act of 1872 introduced the secret ballot. There are many other possible examples of reforms from his first ministry, including the
  Judicature Act, Civil Service and Army reforms.
• A more debatable example could be the Third Reform Act of 1884 that gave the counties the same franchise that the boroughs had gained in 1867. In 1885, there followed the Redistribution of Seats Act, which made electoral districts more equal. It was a success in that a greater proportion of the population now elected MPs under a fairer system. However, the Liberal Party failed to prosper under the new system, suffering defeat in the elections of 1886, 1895 and 1900 and only achieving power in 1892 through an alliance with the Irish Parliamentary Party. Candidates may link these electoral defeats to the Reform Acts of 1884 to 1885.
• In terms of relations with the trade unions, Gladstone passed the Trade Union Act and the Criminal Law Amendment Act, both in 1871. Although the first of these legally recognized trade unions, the second made picketing illegal. It could be argued that these laws did little to shore up Liberal support in urban working class areas and some may suggest that they eventually
  paved the way for a successful, separate Labour Party.
• There are many other aspects to Gladstone’s domestic policies in this period, for example his wish to restrict government spending, including his opposition to proposed spending increases on the navy, which led to his resignation in 1894.
• Some candidates may also refer to Gladstone’s Irish policy and this is acceptable.

The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, the list is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.

Examiners are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.

[20 marks]