Consolidation and Challenge: Britain and Ireland 1886 to 1906
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- Start Date: 17 Sep 2025End Date: 22 Oct 2025Wed (Evening): 19:30 - 21:00OnlineFull fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £97.00
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What is the course about?
The course will explore developments in government and Parliamentary politics in this period, the Gladstone and Disraeli administrations, electoral reform, the ‘New Unionism’, the fall of Parnell and recovery of the Irish Parliamentary Party, the increasing demand for female suffrage, poverty and squalor, and the domestic consequences of the Boer Wars.
What will we cover?
Britain and Ireland in 1886 – the state of the nations
Governments of Gladstone and Disraeli 1886-1895
Ireland: Home Rule, land, culture and republicanism
Electoral reform and the rising demand for female suffrage
The ‘New Unionism’: growth of trade unions
Rise and fall of the Balfour Government: from Khaki Election to Liberal landslide.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
Knowledge and understanding of key political developments in Britain and Ireland 1886-1906
Critically reflect on how much political change there was between 1886-1906
Critically reflect on the people, movements, and events that led to change.
Critically reflect on key historical interpretations for this period.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is a broad survey course- no previous knowledge is required. *An open mind and willingness to engage respectfully in class discussions and debates.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will be delivered through a mixture of formal tutor input and discussion with student participation
encouraged.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Pen and paper for any voluntary note taking. Below is an optional reading list:
CG Brown and WH Fraser Britain since 1707
M Pugh Britain since 1789
K. Theodore Hoppen Ireland since 1800.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
HBH98 Reform, War and Revolution: Britain and Ireland 1906 to 1929.
David has over twenty years’ experience in secondary schools and higher education. He holds a degree in Economics and History and a MA in History from Oxford Brookes University and has been an active member of the Historical Association (HA) and was recently a member of the People of 1381 Teacher Fellowship programme. He has also presented at history education conferences in Europe and the USA. His specific area of teaching expertise is post-1945 British political, economic, and social history particularly the 1978-79 Winter of Discontent and the Thatcher governments 1979-1990 but he teaches beyond these topics: British history 1603-1997; Russian history 1881-1990; American history 1865-2008, particularly the struggle for black equality; the use of popular music in history learning; and medicine history, c.1300 to the present day; and migration c. 1700 to the present day. David spends his spare time tending an unruly allotment, purveying homemade jam, and listening to Northern Soul music.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.