Changes

the '''British Liberal Party''' was one of two main political parties in Britain from the mid-19th century to the 1920s. Since then it has become an also-ran with few seats in parliament despite a moderately large vote.  In 1968 it merged with a breakaway faction of the [[Labour Party]] to form the '''Liberal Democratic Party.'''  

the '''British Liberal Party''' was one of two main political parties in Britain from the mid-19th century to the 1920s. Since then it has become an also-ran with few seats in parliament despite a moderately large vote.  In 1968 it merged with a breakaway faction of the [[Labour Party]] to form the '''Liberal Democratic Party.''' George Dangerfield argued in ''Strange Death of Liberal England'' (1935) that in the face of the multiple crises of Edwardian Britain arounfd 1910-- women’s suffrage, Irish Home Rule, industrial unrest -- liberalism crumbled. More recently historians have argued that 20th century Britain was dominated by liberalism and related creeds, especially as eembodied in various kinds of "liberal socialism."<ref> See Green and Tanner, eds, ''The Strange Survival of Liberal England: Political Leaders, Moral Values and the Reception of Economic Debate''(2007).</ref> 

 

==Origins==

==Origins==

The Liberal Party emerged from the [[Whigs|Whig Party]] in the decades after passage of the Reform Bill of 1832 gave the vote to the British middle class. It brought together Whigs, Peelite liberal Tories, and radical politicians.<ref>"radical" at the time meant reformer; "liberal" meant libertarian.</ref> politicians.  In terms of voters the party appealed to businessmen, Scots, and non-conformists (Protestants who did not belong to the Anglican Church, including Methodists and others).  

The Liberal Party emerged from the [[Whigs|Whig Party]] in the decades after passage of the Reform Bill of 1832 gave the vote to the British middle class. It brought together Whigs, Peelite liberal Tories, and radical politicians.<ref>"radical" at the time meant reformer; "liberal" meant libertarian.</ref> politicians.  In terms of voters the party appealed to businessmen, Scots, and non-conformists (Protestants who did not belong to the Anglican Church, including Methodists and others).  

* Dutton, David. ''A History of the Liberal Party in the Twentieth Century,'' (2004). 360 pp.

* Dutton, David. ''A History of the Liberal Party in the Twentieth Century,'' (2004). 360 pp.

* Ensor, Robert. ''England 1870-1914'' (Oxford History of England Series) (1936), 652pp good survey of politics[http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0198217056/ref=sib_dp_pt/103-4827826-5463040#reader-link excerpt and text search]; [http://www.questiaschool.com/read/10005200 online edition]

* Ensor, Robert. ''England 1870-1914'' (Oxford History of England Series) (1936), 652pp good survey of politics[http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0198217056/ref=sib_dp_pt/103-4827826-5463040#reader-link excerpt and text search]; [http://www.questiaschool.com/read/10005200 online edition]

* Grigg, John. ''Lloyd George: The People's Champion, 1902-1911.'' (1979). 391 pp.

* Grigg, John. ''Lloyd George: The People's Champion, 1902-1911.'' (1979). 391 pp.

* Jalland, Patricia. ''The Liberals and Ireland: The Ulster Question in British Politics to 1914.'' (1980). 303 pp.

* Jalland, Patricia. ''The Liberals and Ireland: The Ulster Question in British Politics to 1914.'' (1980). 303 pp.