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Unionist government, 1895–1905 facts for kids

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Lord Salisbury was the leader of the UK Government from 1895 to 1902.
Arthur Balfour took over as Prime Minister in 1902.

From 1895 to 1905, the United Kingdom was led by a government made up of two political groups: the Conservative Party and the Liberal Unionist Party. This type of government, where different parties work together, is called a coalition.

The leader of the Conservatives, Lord Salisbury, became the Prime Minister in 1895. His nephew, Arthur Balfour, was an important leader in the House of Commons. Other key roles went to members of the Liberal Unionist Party, like the Duke of Devonshire and Joseph Chamberlain. This government was in charge during the Second Boer War (1899–1902). Winning this war helped them get a huge victory in the 1900 election.

This government had three main periods. Lord Salisbury led the first two (from 1895 to 1902), and Arthur Balfour led the third (from 1902 until 1905).

What is a Prime Minister?

Lord Salisbury was the last person to be the head of the government without also holding the title of First Lord of the Treasury. For over a hundred years since then, these two jobs have always been held by the same person. The Prime Minister is the main leader of the country's government.

Changes to Trade Rules

Arthur Balfour became Prime Minister in 1902 after Lord Salisbury. The government started to have problems when Joseph Chamberlain suggested a new plan for tariff reform. This plan meant putting taxes on goods coming into the country. Some members of the government who believed in free trade (no taxes on imports) disagreed with this idea and resigned.

Chinese Workers in South Africa

Punch 1903 - Chinese Paul
A cartoon from Punch magazine in 1903. It shows how controversial it was to bring Chinese workers to the gold mines in South Africa.

After the Boer War ended, the British government wanted to rebuild South Africa's economy. The war had caused a lot of damage. A big part of this plan was to get the gold mines in Witwatersrand working again quickly. These mines were the richest in history and a major reason for the war.

The government decided that white workers were too expensive, and black workers didn't want to return to the mines. So, they brought in over 60,000 workers from China under special contracts.

Many people in Britain and other Western countries did not like this idea. There was a lot of negative feeling towards Chinese immigration at the time. This was also when many working-class British people were struggling with poverty and unemployment.

On March 26, 1904, about 80,000 people gathered in Hyde Park to protest against bringing Chinese workers to South Africa. The Trade Union Congress, a group representing workers, also spoke out. They said:

That this meeting consisting of all classes of citizens of London, emphatically protests against the action of the Government in granting permission to import into South Africa indentured Chinese labour under conditions of slavery, and calls upon them to protect this new colony from the greed of capitalists and the Empire from degradation.

This quote shows that many people felt the Chinese workers were being treated unfairly, almost like slaves. They wanted the government to protect the colony from greedy business owners and protect the British Empire's reputation.

The Government Steps Down

Arthur Balfour's government was losing support, and it looked like they would lose the next election. So, in December 1905, Balfour resigned as Prime Minister. This led to a new government being formed by the Liberal Party, led by Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman.

In the general election that followed in 1906, almost all of Balfour's government ministers lost their seats in Parliament, including Balfour himself.

Government Teams

Salisbury's Governments

Quick facts for kids
Salisbury ministries
Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom (HM Government, 1901-1952).svg
Unionist coalition of the United Kingdom
  • 1895–1900
  • 1900–1902
Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury - Project Gutenberg eText 13103.jpg
Lord Salisbury (1897)
Date formed
  • Third: 25 June 1895 (1895-06-25)
  • Fourth: 24 October 1900 (1900-10-24)
Date dissolved
  • Third: 24 October 1900 (1900-10-24)
  • Fourth: 11 July 1902 (1902-07-11)
People and organisations
Monarch
Prime Minister Lord Salisbury
Prime Minister's history 1895–1902
Member parties
Status in legislature
Opposition party Liberal Party
Opposition leaders
History
Election(s)
Legislature term(s)
  • 25th UK Parliament
  • 26th UK Parliament
  • 27th UK Parliament
Predecessor Rosebery ministry
Successor Balfour ministry

First Salisbury Government (1895-1900)

Portfolio Minister Took office Left office Party
  The 3rd Marquess of Salisbury* 25 June 1895 (1895-06-25) 11 July 1902 (1902-07-11) Conservative
  Arthur Balfour 25 June 1895 (1895-06-25) 4 December 1905 (1905-12-04) Conservative
Lord Chancellor   The Earl of Halsbury 29 June 1895 (1895-06-29) 4 December 1905 (1905-12-04) Conservative
Lord President of the Council   The Duke of Devonshire 29 June 1895 (1895-06-29) 19 October 1903 (1903-10-19) Liberal Unionist
Lord Privy Seal   The Viscount Cross 29 June 1895 (1895-06-29) 12 November 1900 (1900-11-12) Conservative
Home Secretary   Sir Matthew White Ridley 29 June 1895 (1895-06-29) 12 November 1900 (1900-11-12) Conservative
Colonial Secretary   Joseph Chamberlain 29 June 1895 (1895-06-29) 16 September 1903 (1903-09-16) Liberal Unionist
Secretary of State for War   The Marquess of Lansdowne 4 July 1895 (1895-07-04) 12 November 1900 (1900-11-12) Liberal Unionist
Secretary of State for India   Lord George Hamilton 4 July 1895 (1895-07-04) 9 October 1903 (1903-10-09) Conservative
First Lord of the Admiralty   George Goschen 1895 (1895) 1900 (1900) Conservative
Chancellor of the Exchequer   Sir Michael Hicks Beach 29 June 1895 (1895-06-29) 11 August 1902 (1902-08-11) Conservative
President of the Board of Trade   Charles Ritchie 29 June 1895 (1895-06-29) 7 November 1900 (1900-11-07) Conservative
President of the Local Government Board   Henry Chaplin 29 June 1895 (1895-06-29) 12 November 1900 (1900-11-12) Conservative
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster   The Viscount Cross 29 June 1895 (1895-06-29) 4 July 1895 (1895-07-04) Conservative
  The Lord James of Hereford 4 July 1895 (1895-07-04) 11 August 1902 (1902-08-11) Liberal Unionist
First Commissioner of Works   Aretas Akers-Douglas 4 July 1895 (1895-07-04) 11 August 1902 (1902-08-11) Conservative
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland   The Earl Cadogan 29 June 1895 (1895-06-29) 11 August 1902 (1902-08-11) Conservative
Lord Chancellor of Ireland   The Lord Ashbourne 29 June 1895 (1895-06-29) 1905 (1905) Conservative
Secretary for Scotland   The Lord Balfour of Burleigh 29 June 1895 (1895-06-29) 9 October 1903 (1903-10-09) Conservative
President of the Board of Agriculture   Walter Long 4 July 1895 (1895-07-04) 16 November 1900 (1900-11-16) Conservative

Second Salisbury Government (1900-1902)

In November 1900, some changes were made to the government team.

Portfolio Minister Took office Left office Party
  The 3rd Marquess of Salisbury* 25 June 1895 (1895-06-25) 11 July 1902 (1902-07-11) Conservative
  Arthur Balfour 25 June 1895 (1895-06-25) 4 December 1905 (1905-12-04) Conservative
Lord Chancellor   The Earl of Halsbury 29 June 1895 (1895-06-29) 4 December 1905 (1905-12-04) Conservative
Lord President of the Council   The Duke of Devonshire 29 June 1895 (1895-06-29) 19 October 1903 (1903-10-19) Liberal Unionist
Home Secretary   Charles Ritchie 12 November 1900 (1900-11-12) 12 July 1902 (1902-07-12) Conservative
Foreign Secretary   The Marquess of Lansdowne 12 November 1900 (1900-11-12) 4 December 1905 (1905-12-04) Liberal Unionist
Colonial Secretary   Joseph Chamberlain 29 June 1895 (1895-06-29) 16 September 1903 (1903-09-16) Liberal Unionist
Secretary of State for War   St John Brodrick 12 November 1900 (1900-11-12) 6 October 1903 (1903-10-06) Conservative
Secretary of State for India   Lord George Hamilton 4 July 1895 (1895-07-04) 9 October 1903 (1903-10-09) Conservative
First Lord of the Admiralty   The Earl of Selborne 1900 (1900) 1905 (1905) Liberal Unionist
Chancellor of the Exchequer   Sir Michael Hicks Beach 29 June 1895 (1895-06-29) 11 August 1902 (1902-08-11) Conservative
President of the Board of Trade   Gerald Balfour 12 November 1900 (1900-11-12) 12 March 1905 (1905-03-12) Conservative
President of the Local Government Board   Walter Long 1900 (1900) 1905 (1905) Conservative
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster   The Lord James of Hereford 4 July 1895 (1895-07-04) 11 August 1902 (1902-08-11) Liberal Unionist
First Commissioner of Works   Aretas Akers-Douglas 4 July 1895 (1895-07-04) 11 August 1902 (1902-08-11) Conservative
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland   The Earl Cadogan 29 June 1895 (1895-06-29) 11 August 1902 (1902-08-11) Conservative
Lord Chancellor of Ireland   The Lord Ashbourne 29 June 1895 (1895-06-29) 1905 (1905) Conservative
Secretary for Scotland   The Lord Balfour of Burleigh 29 June 1895 (1895-06-29) 9 October 1903 (1903-10-09) Conservative
President of the Board of Agriculture   Robert William Hanbury 16 November 1900 (1900-11-16) 28 April 1903 (1903-04-28) Conservative

Balfour's Government

Balfour ministry
Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom (HM Government, 1901-1952).svg
1902–1905
Arthur Balfour, photo portrait facing left (cropped).jpg
Arthur Balfour
Date formed 12 July 1902 (1902-07-12)
Date dissolved 4 December 1905 (1905-12-04)
People and organisations
Monarch Edward VII
Prime Minister Arthur Balfour
Member parties
Status in legislature Majority (coalition)
Opposition party Liberal Party
Opposition leaders
History
Legislature term(s) 27th UK Parliament
Predecessor Fourth Salisbury ministry
Successor Campbell-Bannerman ministry
Portfolio Minister Took office Left office Party
  Arthur Balfour* 12 July 1902 (1902-07-12) 4 December 1905 (1905-12-04) Conservative
Lord Chancellor   The Earl of Halsbury 29 June 1895 (1895-06-29) 4 December 1905 (1905-12-04) Conservative
  The Duke of Devonshire 29 June 1895 (1895-06-29) 19 October 1903 (1903-10-19) Liberal Unionist
Lord President of the Council   The Marquess of Londonderry 19 October 1903 (1903-10-19) 11 December 1905 (1905-12-11) Conservative
Leader of the House of Lords   The Marquess of Lansdowne 13 October 1903 (1903-10-13) 4 December 1905 (1905-12-04) Liberal Unionist
Home Secretary   Aretas Akers-Douglas 12 July 1902 (1902-07-12) 5 December 1905 (1905-12-05) Conservative
Foreign Secretary   The Marquess of Lansdowne 12 November 1900 (1900-11-12) 4 December 1905 (1905-12-04) Liberal Unionist
Colonial Secretary   Joseph Chamberlain 29 June 1895 (1895-06-29) 16 September 1903 (1903-09-16) Liberal Unionist
  Alfred Lyttelton 11 October 1903 (1903-10-11) 4 December 1905 (1905-12-04) Liberal Unionist
Secretary of State for War   St John Brodrick 12 November 1900 (1900-11-12) 6 October 1903 (1903-10-06) Conservative
  H. O. Arnold-Forster 6 October 1903 (1903-10-06) 4 December 1905 (1905-12-04) Liberal Unionist
Secretary of State for India   Lord George Hamilton 4 July 1895 (1895-07-04) 9 October 1903 (1903-10-09) Conservative
  St John Brodrick 9 October 1903 (1903-10-09) 4 December 1905 (1905-12-04) Conservative
First Lord of the Admiralty   The Earl of Selborne 1900 (1900) 1905 (1905) Liberal Unionist
Chancellor of the Exchequer   Charles Ritchie 11 August 1902 (1902-08-11) 9 October 1903 (1903-10-09) Conservative
  Austen Chamberlain 9 October 1903 (1903-10-09) 4 December 1905 (1905-12-04) Liberal Unionist
President of the Board of Trade   Gerald Balfour 12 November 1900 (1900-11-12) 12 March 1905 (1905-03-12) Conservative
  The 4th Marquess of Salisbury 12 March 1905 (1905-03-12) 4 December 1905 (1905-12-04) Conservative
Secretary for Scotland   The Lord Balfour of Burleigh 29 June 1895 (1895-06-29) 9 October 1903 (1903-10-09) Conservative
  Andrew Murray 9 October 1903 (1903-10-09) 2 February 1905 (1905-02-02) Conservative
  The Marquess of Linlithgow 2 February 1905 (1905-02-02) 4 December 1905 (1905-12-04) Conservative
Chief Secretary for Ireland   George Wyndham 9 November 1900 (1900-11-09) 12 March 1905 (1905-03-12) Conservative
  Walter Long 12 March 1905 (1905-03-12) 4 December 1905 (1905-12-04) Conservative
President of the Local Government Board   Walter Long 1900 (1900) 1905 (1905) Conservative
  Gerald Balfour 1905 (1905) 11 December 1905 (1905-12-11) Conservative
President of the Board of Agriculture   Robert William Hanbury 16 November 1900 (1900-11-16) 28 April 1903 (1903-04-28) Conservative
President of the Board of Education   The Marquess of Londonderry 11 August 1902 (1902-08-11) 4 December 1905 (1905-12-04) Conservative
Lord Chancellor of Ireland   The Lord Ashbourne 29 June 1895 (1895-06-29) 1905 (1905) Conservative
First Commissioner of Works   The Lord Windsor 11 August 1902 (1902-08-11) 4 December 1905 (1905-12-04) Conservative
Postmaster General   Austen Chamberlain 11 August 1902 (1902-08-11) 9 October 1903 (1903-10-09) Liberal Unionist

Changes in Balfour's Government

  • May 1903: Lord Onslow took over from Robert William Hanbury at the Board of Agriculture.
  • September to October 1903:
    • Lord Londonderry replaced the Duke of Devonshire as Lord President. Londonderry also stayed as President of the Board of Education.
    • Lord Lansdowne took over from Devonshire as Leader of the House of Lords. Lansdowne also remained Foreign Secretary.
    • Lord Salisbury replaced Arthur Balfour as Lord Privy Seal.
    • Austen Chamberlain took over from Charles Ritchie as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
    • Alfred Lyttelton replaced Joseph Chamberlain as Colonial Secretary.
    • St John Brodrick took over from Lord George Hamilton as Secretary for India.
    • H. O. Arnold-Forster replaced Brodrick as Secretary for War.
    • Andrew Graham-Murray took over from Lord Balfour of Burleigh as Secretary for Scotland.
  • March 1905:
    • Walter Hume Long replaced George Wyndham as Irish Secretary.
    • Gerald Balfour took over from Long at the Local Government Board.
    • Lord Salisbury replaced Balfour at the Board of Trade. Salisbury also remained Lord Privy Seal.
    • Lord Cawdor took over from Lord Selborne at the Admiralty.
    • Ailwyn Fellowes replaced Lord Onslow at the Board of Agriculture.
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