The Rise of Disraeli and Conservative Revival

The 1874 general election marked a pivotal moment in British politics. Despite the Liberal Party securing more total votes, an imbalance in constituency sizes handed Benjamin Disraeli’s Conservatives a parliamentary majority. This victory ended William Gladstone’s Liberal government and ushered in an era defined by imperial ambition and domestic reform. Disraeli, a charismatic leader with Jewish heritage (unusual for the time), had already outlined his three core priorities: defending British institutions like the monarchy and Church of England, strengthening the empire, and improving conditions for the working class.

His 1872 Crystal Palace speech became a manifesto for this vision. Accusing Liberals of neglecting imperial interests during their tenure, Disraeli argued that Britain’s global stature demanded proactive engagement—especially after Prussia’s victory in the Franco-Prussian War had disrupted Europe’s balance of power.

The Imperial Gambits: Suez, India, and the “Empress of India”

Disraeli’s first major move was the 1875 purchase of Egypt’s shares in the Suez Canal Company, facilitated by the Rothschild banking family. This strategic acquisition shifted control of the vital waterway from France to Britain, securing a lifeline to India. The following year, he orchestrated Queen Victoria’s proclamation as “Empress of India”—a symbolic gesture aimed at consolidating British authority and countering Russian expansion into Central Asia.

The Eastern Crisis (1875–1878) tested Disraeli’s resolve. When reports emerged of Ottoman atrocities against Bulgarians, Gladstone led public outcry with his pamphlet The Bulgarian Horrors, even insinuating Disraeli’s Jewish background influenced his reluctance to defend Balkan Christians. Unfazed, Disraeli prioritized propping up the Ottoman Empire to check Russian influence. By 1878, he emerged as a key figure at the Congress of Berlin, isolating Russia and preserving British interests.

The Afghan Quagmire and the “Great Game”

Central Asia became a chessboard for Anglo-Russian rivalry. After Russia absorbed the Khanates of Khiva and Bukhara, Britain feared for India’s security. Disraeli’s government invaded Afghanistan in 1878, triggering the Second Anglo-Afghan War. Initial victories turned to disaster when rebels massacred British envoy Sir Louis Cavignari in 1879. Though Britain eventually installed a puppet regime, the war’s brutality fueled domestic criticism.

Simultaneously, tensions flared in Southern Africa. The annexation of the diamond-rich Griqualand West (1871) angered Boer republics, while conflicts with the Zulu Kingdom culminated in the disastrous Battle of Isandlwana (1879), where 1,300 British troops died. These setbacks eroded support for Disraeli’s “imperialism”—a term first weaponized by Liberals to liken his policies to Napoleon III’s autocracy.

Domestic Reforms: “Tory Democracy” and Social Engineering

Disraeli’s government passed landmark labor laws, including the 1875 Conspiracy Act, which legalized strikes. His novels like Sybil had long exposed industrial poverty, and now his “One Nation” conservatism sought to bind workers to the empire through paternalistic reforms: slum clearance, factory regulations, and support for mutual-aid societies. Yet critics saw this as a ploy to distract from Ireland’s unrest, where demands for Home Rule grew louder.

The Jingoism Phenomenon and Imperial Psychology

The term “jingoism” entered the lexicon via a popular 1878 music-hall song boasting of British military might. This aggressive nationalism, akin to French chauvinism, thrived on imperial pride but faltered after Afghan and Zulu defeats. By 1880, Gladstone’s Liberals returned to power, lambasting Disraeli’s adventures as reckless “imperialism.”

Gladstone’s Dilemma: Retreat or Reinvention?

Gladstone withdrew troops from Afghanistan and granted the Boers limited independence in the 1881 Pretoria Convention. But crises in Egypt and Sudan exposed contradictions in his anti-imperial stance. The 1882 bombardment of Alexandria and General Gordon’s death at Khartoum (1885) made him a scapegoat for imperial overreach. Meanwhile, Russia’s advance toward Afghanistan reignited fears of the “Great Game.”

The Irish Question and the Fall of Liberalism

Gladstone’s push for Irish Home Rule split his party in 1886. Radicals like Joseph Chamberlain defected, joining Conservatives to defeat the bill. The ensuing election became a referendum on empire, with Conservatives and Liberal Unionists crushing Gladstone’s rump Liberals. This realignment marked the rise of “Tory Democracy,” blending imperial pride with limited social reform—a legacy that would shape British politics into the 20th century.

Legacy: The Imperial Pendulum

Disraeli’s tenure redefined conservatism, marrying empire to national identity. His successes—Suez, the Royal Titles Act—contrasted with bloody colonial wars, revealing imperialism’s costs. Gladstone’s attempts to curb expansion foundered on geopolitical realities, proving even anti-imperialists couldn’t escape empire’s logic. Their clash framed debates over Britain’s global role, leaving enduring questions about power, morality, and the limits of intervention.