The Conservative Party Flashcards
The corn laws
Passed in 1815
Taxed foreign imported corn to protect farmers and landowners
Popular with tortes and aristocracy
Not popular with middle class due to high bread prices
Repeal
Before 1841, one of the key policies of the conservative gov
After 1841, Peel believed it would be economically beneficial for them to be repealed
Brough about disunity, peel items and protectionists
Role of Palmerston
Before, conservatives were the largest party so others could not come near
Palmerston was able to unite majority of whigs, Peelites, Radicals and Liberals
Conservatives found it hard to oppose Palmerston due to his opposition to political and constitutional reform and support of church
Travelled around by rail to meet supporters
Gladstone introduced popular free trade as chancellor of exchequer
economy in early liberal party
Palmerston in economic prosperity
Industries like coal iron and textiles were particularly prosperous
Railway was growing
There was increased foreign investment
Free trade popular w voters
Issues of conservatives 1850s
On occasions could form gov they were unable to form majority due to split with liberals
Associated with support of monarchy, aristocracy and Church of England
Even after 1852 when they dropped protectionism they were still associated with it
1852 attempted to reunite with peelites but didn’t want to so they lost calibrate and experience
Disraeli attempts to pass parliamentary reform but rejected, seen as opportunist many if party voted against him
