Working in alliance with the Irish Nationalists, he immediately introduced an Irish Home Rule Bill, proposing a parliament for Ireland. It was defeated, and he lost the General Election held in July Gladstone devoted the next 6 years to convincing the British electorate to grant Home Rule. Campaigning on the issue, the Liberals won the election, and he returned for a fourth administration. He resigned in March , having failed to retain the support of his Cabinet. Gladstone died on 19 May from cancer, which started behind the cheekbone and spread across his body.
He was buried in Westminster Abbey. See all Past Prime Ministers. To help us improve GOV. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Cookies on GOV. UK We use some essential cookies to make this website work. Four times Prime Minister, Gladstone owes his great reputation, A. Thompson argues, less to his achievements in office than to his character and personality.
The memories of Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery, of the political crisis that Gladstone's final resignation caused at the heart of the British government in The Fenians, rather than the Home Rule party, were responsible for this act, but Gladstone was forced to suspend discussion of Irish reform and resort to harsh measures of suppression in a Prevention of Crimes Bill Gladstone's commitment to Ireland was coupled with a consistent opposition to imperialism.
He considered imperialism a Conservative ruse to distract the masses from the real issues. He believed that the "infamy of Disraeli's policy was equalled only by the villainy with which it had been carried out.
But Gladstone's second ministry coincided with a worsening agricultural depression in which England's free trade policy seemed a liability rather than an asset. New market areas unencumbered with tariffs had an appeal, and imperialism became a popular crusade. Egypt and the Sudan were the main concerns in the s following Britain's purchase of the Suez Canal A riot in Alexandria brought a British occupation in , and a rebellion in the Sudan brought the death of Gen.
Gordon in , when Gladstone's dilatory tactics failed to rescue him in time. The popular reaction to Gordon's death was a clear indication of Gladstone's misreading of this issue. The Irish question reached its climax in Gladstone's third and brief February to July Cabinet of The Home Rule Bill was the sole program. It was designed to give Ireland a separate legislature with important powers, leaving to the British Parliament control of the army, navy, trade, and navigation.
Gladstone's Liberal party had the votes to carry the bill, but the party split on the issue. Joseph Chamberlain led a group known as the Liberal Unionists loyal to the Union of to oppose Gladstone's policy; the bill failed and Gladstone resigned. He had been correct in his premise that home rule or some degree of self-government was essential to the solution of the Irish question, but he failed to face up to the problem of the other Ireland, the Ulster north that lived in fear of the Catholic majority.
Gladstone was to remain in Parliament for another decade and to introduce another Home Rule Bill in , but after the defeat of he was no longer in command of his party or in touch with the public he had led and served so long. His insistence on home rule for Ireland combined with his opposition to imperialism and social reform was evidence of this. The meaningful legislation in behalf of trade unions was sponsored by the Conservatives.
His opposition to the arms buildup in the s was consistent with his sincere desire for peace but doomed to failure given the German military expansion of the same period. Gladstone retired in and died on May 19, ; he was buried in Westminster Abbey. Gladstone is still seen today as the epitome of the Victorian statesman.
His industry he often worked 14 hours a day , powerful sense of moral purpose, appetite for sermons, and lack of wit made him an easy target for the disciples of Lytton Strachey. But Gladstone was at the same time a major force in the shaping of British democracy. The years he was out of office were devoted to the issue as well. His first home rule bill in split the Liberal Party and was rejected.
In , another home rule bill was rejected by the House of Lords. Gladstone found himself increasingly at odds with his cabinet and, in , he resigned. He died of cancer on 19 May and was buried in Westminster Abbey. Search term:. Read more.
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