Firstly, a well known fact about this period is that Great Britain created an empire spanning over five continents. This was achieved through a series of conquests and legislative supremacy. At the height of its power in the late nineteenth century, Great Britain controlled an extensive trading network. Through this control, much of the world was exposed to British Customs, language, and ideas. This domination was further cemented through military interventions that were conducted where and when necessary.
In the domestic arena, many historians have claimed that the British government was not strictly a dictatorship. William Ewart Gladstone, who served as Prime Minister for a number of terms, spearheaded a movement to implement democratic reforms. He initiated the introduction of the secret ballot, increased the powers of local government, and even gave women the right to vote in many local elections. This and many other measures taken during Gladstone’s time as Prime Minister signify a move away from dictatorial rule.
Notwithstanding the reforms, economic disparity between working and upper classes remained extreme due to controversial policies set in place by the government. These policies set out to protect the interests of the landed aristocracy and acted to purposely impede social mobility. The industrial system of Great Britain was, to an extent, based on institutionalised exploitation and some would consider this to be a form of dictatorship. Further to this, the governments of this period were very secretive in their proceedings and rarely went through formal legislative processes.
Moving to a contemporary perspective, many sources claim that Britain today has become a republic, yet this is not strictly true. The Queen is still the Head of State, and constitutional forms of government persist. Looking at the structure of the UK’s government it is clear a democratic system is in place. All major decisions are made through the democratic process and a free press ensures the people’s voice is heard. This level of democracy places Britain much farther away from a dictatorship than it was during the 19th century.
To consider whether the British government of the 19th century was a dictatorship, the country’s relationship to its colonies must also be taken into account. Throughout the period, many of Britain’s colonies suffered under an oppressive burden. Industrial exploitation, poor working conditions, and an overall lack of representation in government, are all issues that plagued these territories. This has led some to claim that aspects of colonisation were a form of authoritarian rule. A complex issue, which is still subject to debate.
Despite Britain being a monarchy, throughout the 19th century a level of social progress was made. However this progress is only applicable to some. The British government of the period was certainly controversial and was a far cry from the model of democracy we understand today. It is important to note, however, that although authoritarian tendencies existed, it can be argued that Britain was not a dictatorship in the traditional sense.
The Impact of Foreign Powers
Throughout the 19th century, foreign powers had a huge influence on the way that Britain’s government operated. Most notably, the countries of France, Spain, and Russia presided over Great Britain in strategic, military, and economic terms. Despite France allied itself with Britain during the Napoleonic Wars, it still sought to weather its international power. In this regard, although Britain was not a full-fledged democracy, it was definitely not a dictatorship either.
In addition to this, the countries of Spain and Russia were known to pursue an aggressive foreign policy. Spain was particularly involved in colonial expansion, and it was this type of behavior that the UK tried to avoid. Russia also had the same outlook, and for this reason, Britain courted an alliance with many other countries. This development allowed the UK to assert its dominance and independence, as well as maintain its social reforms.
It is also important to note that the foreign powers of that time had a sort of influence on how Britain conducted domestic policy. Despite Britain’s commitment to the implementation of democratic reforms, the political environment was still constrained by the overarching presence of these countries. This meant that often decisions made in Britain were partially made with an eye to international relations.
Contemporary Perspectives
The contemporary perspective of Britain’s 19th century government is that of a constitutional monarchy. Though some aspects of this era are viewed in a negative light, it would be foolish to label Britain’s government as a dictatorship. This is primarily because the foundation of Britain’s government was largely set by the Magna Carta and the subsequent parliamentary reforms of the 17th century. The country is now a democracy where the people have an adequate representation in politics.
This does not mean that the British government did not have authoritarian tendencies during this period. Criticisms such as the lack of freedom, inequality, and brutality are still applicable to this day for certain groups. For instance, the working class still carries the burden of economic hardship and social exclusion in many areas. The significance of this is that the legacy of these aspects of Britain’s history still live on in society.
Moreover, in recent times, Britain has put forward various pieces of legislation to combat these issues. The Human Rights Act 1998, Equality Act 2010, and Living Wage Act 2019 have all gone furthest to ensure that everyone has their fundamental rights protected. This is not the kind of behaviour that is seen in a dictatorship, hence why it can be argued that Britain was not a full-fledged dictatorship during the 19th century.
Political Agendas
The political landscape of 19th century Great Britain was dominated by the two-party system of the Conservatives and the Liberals. They had fundamentally different agendas and did not come close to agreeing on anything. This had an effect on how the government operated, making it harder for dictatorial leaders to maintain control.
Despite the conflict between the parties, it is clear that Britain was still opposed to any form of dictatorship. In fact, Britain publicly condemned Napoleon Bonaparte’s rule of France, and engaged in war to prevent him from achieving further power. This speaks volumes about Britain’s attitude towards dictatorial rulers.
The rule of Queen Victoria was a turning point in British history, as it began the process of transitioning from an imperial nation to a modern democracy. Her reign saw the foundation of a universal education system, the introduction of income tax, and the implementation of the secret ballot. These actions alone are testament to the fact that Britain did not want to be seen as a dictatorship.
Furthermore, the Reform Act of 1867 extended the franchise to many people who had previously been denied the right to vote. This includes people living in cities, and those who had previously been denied the right to vote. This is one of the major reformations of the Victorian period and is a demonstration of an inherent anti-dictatorial stance.
Referendums
The concept of holding referendums, to gauge public opinion, was heavily relied upon during the 19th century. Leaders of the time consulted with the people when making decisions about the future of the country. This can be seen in the Argyle and Bute Referendum of 1880 which was held to decide whether or not Scotland should become a separate country. Unfortunately, the referendum failed and Scotland remained part of the United Kingdom.
This example highlights the fact that the government was in tune with the wishes of the people. It also shows that Britain was continuously trying to strive for democratic reforms. The idea of holding referendums was the first systematic step towards the introduction of democracy, a strong indicator of a non-dictatorial rule.
In conclusion, Britain’s government during the 19th century was certainly not free of authoritarian tendencies. However, it is essential to bear in mind that this period also brought about a number of progressive and democratic reforms. Therefore, it can be argued that Britain was not a dictatorship and was, at the time, further along the path to democracy than many of its contemporaries.
Rise of Nationalism
The 19th century saw the emergence of nationalism in various parts of the world. This was primarily a reaction to the wave of imperialism that was sweeping through Europe and had a huge impact on Britain’s government. In some cases, the nationalist sentiment contributed to the dissolution of colonial and imperial control, as was evident in Ireland’s struggle against Britain.
Despite being met with great resistance from the British government, some Irish independence leaders used the principles of democracy to mobilise their cause. This is not the type of behaviour one would expect from a country under dictatorial rule. Moreover, the British government was willing to negotiate the terms of a settlement, a move that further demonstrates their commitment to democracy.
This is not to say that Britain was not still holding onto its colonies through oppressive and violent means. This was particularly evident in the subjugation of the indigenous populations in some of its colonies. This, however, does not mean that it was a flat-out dictatorship.
The rise of nationalism also provided a platform for the progressive reforms that eventually led to the modern democracy we now enjoy. It showed Britain’s engagement with notions of freedom and self-determination and it signalled a move away from an oppressive political system.
