Aspects of Liberalism in Sheffield 1849-1886

The introduction traces the origins of Sheffield Liberalism
in the reform movements of 1790 - 1848. Part one looks at
the divisions between the Whig Radicals and the Democrats
and the decline and disappearance of t~~ ·Democrats in 1854.
Liberals were agreed about the Crimean and China Wars and
middle class control of the party was firmly established by
1857. Part two examines Liberal attitudes to Italy, Poland
and the American Civil War, the strugg1e ,for parliamentary
reform and the growing dissatisfaction with Roebuck,
culminating in his rejection by the progressive Liberals and
the election of Munde1la in 1868. part three deals with
the Radical Nonconformist revolt, with reference to the
education question, Liberation and social issues, and the
schism in the party caused by the Chamberlain candidature
in 1874. Union was re-established with the formation of
the Sheffield Liberal Association, but in the years 1877 -
1880 the political balance swung decisively towards the
Conservatives, who, through a highly efficient organisation
and an influential newspaper, succeeded in making Sheffield
a centre of Jingoism and won a notable victory in the election
of 1880. Part four discusses the problems facing the Liberals
in the 1880's, the strength of local Conservatism and the
impact of national questions, and ends with the Home Rule
crisis in 1886. In each part there are chapters reviewing
the national scene and the social and economic development
of Sheffield. The conclusion seeks to emphasize certain
themes, such as the middle class defection to Conservatism,
the influence of Nonconformity and the impact of outside
influences and to discover the essence of Liberalism in
Sheffield.