The Differences of Gladstone And Disraeli In Their Policies Regarding The British Empire and Foreign Policy

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The Differences of Gladstone And Disraeli In Their Policies Regarding The British Empire and Foreign Policy

Gladstone and Disraeli generally had very different policies regarding

the British Empire and foreign policy. Disraeli tended to shape his

policies in regards to what is in the best interests of Britain and

her empire. Gladstone was a man who followed his principles and

Christian ethics; his foreign policy was an example of his beliefs in

practice, as it tended to be humanitarian, measured and showed

consideration to other nations. However there were instances where

the two bitter rivals overlapped with their actions.

There were a number of imperial and foreign issues throughout the

ministries of Gladstone and Disraeli. A foreign issue that turned

into a major difference between Gladstone and Disraeli was over the

Bulgarian horrors of the mid 1870’s, which resided within the Eastern

question. The issue of the Bulgarian horrors was one of relatively

small importance but had important, wide-ranging connotations, which

could affect Europe and also provided a platform for Gladstone and

Disraeli to continue their rivalry.

In 1875 it emerged that the Turks massacred 12,000 Christians from

Bulgaria, which was part of the Ottoman Empire. This issue raised

questions over how Britain intended to keep peace in Europe and

allowed them to reassess their allegiances in Eastern Europe.

Britain’s main concern during this period was Russia. It was seen as

a problem before this time and continued to be so afterwards. Britain

has always been wary of Russia expanding further into Europe and

becoming too dominant. Britain and other ...

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differences which outweighed their similarities, Gladstone

concentrated on long term solutions, was internationally minded and

promoted his ethical side, whereas Disraeli was the reverse of these.

Both men were mavericks and had little loyalty to their parties. It

would be fair to say that in opposition and when speaking about one

another they were outspoken and highly critical. However once in

government they both got caught in the fervour of imperial strength

and might, this brings us to Lord Acton’s famous saying that “power

corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”, which claimed

Gladstone as a victim as although he was a very principled, ethical

and religious man when in power these were occasionally pushed to the

side in place of the same political advantage and one-upmanship that

Disraeli used.

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