Lord Palmerston's Interior Policy in Britain

Abstract

Abstract

This research shows an unknown aspect of Palmerston's interior policy in Britain during the Victorian era. Palmerston was known for his prominence in the field of foreign affairs by taking over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for multiple times and then being prime minister, but this research comes to show his opinions and attitudes about Britian's interior affairs  during the same time period. Palmerston had clear and important fingerprints in the interior affairs of Britain, and his positions contributed to solving the major crises inside the country, and avoiding falling into political chaos as he feared that the infectious effects of revolution could reach the British people and threat the security, safety and stability of the country. He worked "all his life" to prevent Britain from falling into chaos by adopting a policy of compromise and not allowing the country be dragged into the unknown, as he did during the crisis of parliamentary reforms and during the revolutions of 1848. At a time when he was practicing a liberal policy abroad towards other European countries, he was a dictator at home because the interest of his country requires such kind of dictatorship from his point of view .