First Gladstone ministry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids First Gladstone ministry |
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| 1868–1874 | |
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Gladstone (1874)
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| Date formed | 3 December 1868 |
| Date dissolved | 17 February 1874 |
| People and organisations | |
| Monarch | Victoria |
| Prime Minister | William Gladstone |
| Total no. of members | 125 appointments |
| Member party | Liberal Party |
| Status in legislature | Majority |
| Opposition party | Conservative Party |
| Opposition leaders |
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| History | |
| Election(s) | 1868 general election |
| Outgoing election | 1874 general election |
| Legislature term(s) |
20th UK Parliament
lost a vote of confidence |
| Predecessor | Third Derby–Disraeli ministry |
| Successor | Second Disraeli ministry |
After the 1868 general election, the Conservative government led by Benjamin Disraeli lost power. In December 1868, William Gladstone and his Liberal Party won the election. This allowed Gladstone to form his very first government. During his time as Prime Minister, Gladstone made many important changes. He reformed the British Army, the legal system, and the Civil Service. He also made a big decision to separate the Church of Ireland from the state. In how he dealt with other countries, Gladstone aimed for peace. His government stayed in power until the 1874 election. After losing this election, Disraeli formed a new government, and Gladstone stepped down as the leader of the Liberal Party.
Gladstone's First Government: Key Changes (1868-1874)
Important Reforms and Policies
William Gladstone's first government was known for making many big changes across Britain. These changes aimed to make things fairer and more modern.
Reforming the British Army
One major reform was in the British Army. Before Gladstone, officers could actually buy their positions. This meant that rich people could get high ranks, even if they weren't the best leaders. Gladstone's government stopped this "purchase system." This change meant that officers would now be promoted based on their skills and experience, not on how much money they had. This made the army stronger and more professional.
Changes to the Legal System
Gladstone's government also updated the legal system. They created the Supreme Court of Judicature. This new court system helped to make justice clearer and more organized. It brought together different courts into one main structure.
Modernizing the Civil Service
The Civil Service is made up of people who work for the government, but are not politicians. Before Gladstone, many jobs in the Civil Service were given based on who you knew, not what you could do. Gladstone's reforms introduced competitive exams for these jobs. This meant that people had to prove they were the best for the role, making the Civil Service more efficient and fair.
Disestablishing the Church of Ireland
One of Gladstone's most significant actions was to "disestablish" the Church of Ireland. This meant that the Church of Ireland was no longer the official state church in Ireland. It became independent, like other churches. This was a very important step for Ireland at the time.
Peaceful Foreign Policy
In dealing with other countries, Gladstone's government chose a peaceful approach. They tried to solve problems through talks and agreements, rather than through conflict. This focus on peace helped Britain maintain good relationships around the world.
The End of Gladstone's First Term
Gladstone's first government lasted from December 1868 to February 1874. It was a majority government, meaning his party had more seats in Parliament than all other parties combined. However, in 1873, his government lost a vote of confidence. This showed that Parliament no longer fully supported his government. After losing the 1874 general election, Gladstone's time as Prime Minister ended. Benjamin Disraeli then formed his own government.
Who Was in Gladstone's Cabinet?
The Cabinet is a group of the most important ministers who help the Prime Minister run the country. Here are the main members of Gladstone's first Cabinet and their roles.
Cabinet Members (December 1868 – February 1874)
| Office | Name | Term |
|---|---|---|
| First Lord of the Treasury Leader of the House of Commons |
William Gladstone | December 1868 – February 1874 |
| Lord Chancellor | The Lord Hatherley | December 1868 – October 1872 |
| The Lord Selborne | October 1872 – February 1874 | |
| Lord President of the Council | The Earl de Grey† | December 1868 – August 1873 |
| The Lord Aberdare | August 1873 – February 1874 | |
| Lord Privy Seal | The Earl of Kimberley | December 1868 – July 1870 |
| The Viscount Halifax | July 1870 – February 1874 | |
| Home Secretary | Henry Austin Bruce‡ | December 1868 – August 1873 |
| Robert Lowe | August 1873 – February 1874 | |
| Foreign Secretary | The Earl of Clarendon | December 1868 – July 1870 |
| The Earl Granville | July 1870 – February 1874 | |
| Secretary of State for the Colonies | The Earl Granville | December 1868 – July 1870 |
| The Earl of Kimberley | July 1870 – February 1874 | |
| Secretary of State for War | Edward Cardwell | December 1868 – February 1874 |
| Secretary of State for India | The Duke of Argyll | December 1868 – February 1874 |
| Chancellor of the Exchequer | Robert Lowe | December 1868 – August 1873 |
| William Gladstone | August 1873 – February 1874 | |
| First Lord of the Admiralty | Hugh Childers | December 1868 – March 1871 |
| George Joachim Goschen | March 1871 – February 1874 | |
| President of the Board of Trade | John Bright | December 1868 – January 1871 |
| Chichester Fortescue | January 1871 – February 1874 | |
| President of the Poor Law Board | George Joachim Goschen | December 1868 – March 1871 |
| replaced by the Local Government Board | ||
| President of the Local Government Board | James Stansfeld | March 1871 – February 1874 |
| Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster | Hugh Childers | August 1872 – September 1873 |
| John Bright | September 1873 – February 1874 | |
| Postmaster General | Marquess of Hartington | December 1868 – January 1871 |
| incumbent not in cabinet | ||
| Chief Secretary for Ireland | Chichester Fortescue | December 1868 – January 1871 |
| Marquess of Hartington | January 1871 – February 1874 | |
| Vice President of the Council | William Edward Forster | July 1870 – February 1874 |
| Leader of the House of Lords | The Earl Granville | December 1868 – February 1874 |
Important Cabinet Changes
- July 1870: When Lord Clarendon passed away, Lord Granville became the new Foreign Secretary. Lord Kimberley took over from Granville as Colonial Secretary. Lord Halifax then became Lord Privy Seal, replacing Kimberley. Also, W.E. Forster joined the Cabinet as Vice President of the Council.
- January 1871: Chichester Fortescue took over from John Bright at the Board of Trade. Lord Hartington then became Chief Secretary for Ireland, replacing Fortescue. The person who replaced Hartington as Postmaster-General was not part of the Cabinet.
- March 1871: G.J. Goschen became First Lord of the Admiralty, taking over from Hugh Childers. James Stansfeld replaced Goschen at the Poor Law Board, which later that year became the Local Government Board.
- August 1872: Hugh Childers returned to the Cabinet as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
- October 1872: Lord Selborne became the new Lord Chancellor, succeeding Lord Hatherley.
- August 1873: Lord Aberdare (who was Henry Austin Bruce) took over from Lord Ripon as Lord President. Robert Lowe then became Home Secretary, replacing Aberdare. Prime Minister Gladstone himself took on the role of Chancellor of the Exchequer.
- September 1873: John Bright returned to the Cabinet, replacing Childers at the Duchy of Lancaster.
