Assess Disreali's successes during the period 1866 - 1880 in dealing with the varied problems, which faced him as a Party Leader and as Prime Minister.

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Alex Williams 12BWW        History Essay        23/01/02

        Mrs McCardle

Assess Disreali’s successes during the period 1866 – 1880 in dealing with the varied problems, which faced him as a Party Leader and as Prime Minister.

        Disreali was born in 1804 to a Jewish family, although he was later baptised a Christian. This was an important decision and would have considerable affect on his career, as during the time only members of the ‘Church of England’ could be a Member of Parliament. Disreali became a Member of Parliament in 1837, leader of the Tory Party in 1859, and finally became Prime Minister, at the age of 70 in 1874, Disreali died in 1881. During his time as both Prime Minister and Party Leader he faced many problems at home and abroad especially during the period of 1866 –80.

        Disreali was known for liking the finer things in life, like nice clothes, social life and women. This lifestyle made people not take him completely seriously. Many

of the other members of parliament did not like him very much and regarded him with suspicion. This caused Disreali a problem when trying to get to the top of his ‘greasy pole’. However in 1872 he made two speeches/ manifestos that changed the opinions of many that doubted him and had previously regarded him with contempt.

        Disreali talked about wanting to improve living conditions for the working class and also the standard of the quality of food that they were eating. Other points he talked about were the moral issues of the time, for example ‘upholding the British Empire’ and ‘maintaining the institutions of the country’. Though as mentioned above his main issue for concern was that of helping those less fortunate than himself. Perhaps this was because of his less fortunate past or that he was trying to appeal to the population of voters, the working class, in order to gain their support at a later date.

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        A cartoon published on the

6th of July 1872 shows Lord Aberdeen

(a Conservative peer) approaching

Disreali, underneath is written a

caption. Disreali when asked is

meant to have said out of the top

of his head, ‘Tell them, my good

Abercorn, with my compliments

what we propose to rely on the

good sublime instincts of ancient

people!’ This quote is Disreali

directly quoting himself, as the

part underlined has come straight

from the speech at crystal palace.

It makes the words seem meaning less.

        As Conservative ...

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