Victorian England: Economic Power and Political Reforms
ENGLAND: Economic and Territorial Power. The reign of Victoria I (1837-1901), known as the Victorian era, saw the UK reach its greatest territorial expansion and consolidate its industrial development. It maintained traditional institutions and a parliamentary monarchy, advancing towards a democratic system. The country was not significantly affected by liberal revolutions; political developments occurred within a framework of institutional stability. The economic expansion was impacted by a prolonged crisis from 1873 to 1895, which mainly affected agriculture. Freedom of trade and rising interest rates adversely affected agricultural trade, leading to the ruin of farmers, reduced cultivation, and abandonment of fields. However, the British economy did not diminish its potential and continued to be the main financial center, thanks to the pound and the Bank of England, which were highly important globally. British political interests were closely tied to imperialist expansion, trade, finance, and control of navigation routes. Successive budgetary reforms ensured the dominance of the mercantile and industrial bourgeoisie in the House of Commons, marginalizing the old landed aristocracy represented in the House of Lords and favoring colonial expansion.
Political Opening and Reforms
Political reforms began in 1832 with the expansion of suffrage. By the mid-nineteenth century, English political life revolved around two parties: the Tories (Conservatives) and the Whigs (Liberals). Benjamin Disraeli, a Conservative minister, introduced electoral reform considered the first democratic reform. It brought politics closer to the masses and identified them with the Crown and British governmental institutions. Both major parties supported electoral reform as it fundamentally defended the political system: monarchy and parliamentary regime. This reform extended the right to vote to one million citizens. William Gladstone’s Liberal victory enabled the implementation of democratic reforms, such as the Act of 1867. This was the political model of Victorian England, whose values included liberalism, economic growth, efficiency, good relations, and evangelical Christianity with other powers. This was coupled with sound fiscal policy and freedom of thought. Important reforms were raised:
Religious Reforms
These reforms addressed issues within the official Anglican Church, separating the state from the church and removing the obligation to belong to the Anglican Church to be a teacher.
Education and Social Reforms
A new school system was created with religious freedom. Other important reforms included new trade union laws, reforms in the administration of justice, and a new expansion of electoral rights.
From the late nineteenth century until the First World War, new political parties emerged in the UK.
The Irish Question
Ireland was one of the major problems in British domestic politics until the War of Independence. Ireland had been under English domination since the Middle Ages, but theoretically remained a kingdom until 1800 when Ireland united with Great Britain to form the UK. Ireland remained a constant challenge. Tension increased from 1870 due to the economic crisis and the expulsion of Irish tenants by British landowners. These events radicalized the nationalist movement, led by Charles Stewart Parnell, a founder of the parliamentary game in England. Attempts were made to curb violence through land reform and an agreement signed between the British and the Irish leader, supported by Pope Leo XIII, who recommended moderation to prevent the Catholic clergy from leading confrontations towards civil war. From 1885, Irish nationalists were present in the British Parliament. A year later, Gladstone presented the Home Rule bill, which would have made Ireland an autonomous territory within the UK. The Prime Minister left office in 1894. The unresolved Irish question led to insurrection until 1916 in Dublin, which marked the effective participation of the island, north and south. Catholic areas achieved independence in the 1920s. This did not completely end the Irish problem, as in the north, under British sovereignty, confrontations between the Protestant majority and the Catholic minority continued throughout the twentieth century.