In order to understand the Irish Question, it is important to understand the importance of the man behind it. William Gladstone, entered Parliament in 1833 as a Tory, but after holding various government posts, he slowly converted to liberalism. After this shift in political opinion, be decided to become the Liberal Party leader in 1866. In his first term as prime minister, which lasted from 1868-1874, he oversaw national education reform, voting reform, and the disestablishment of the Irish Protestant church. In 1875-1876 he condemned the apathy of Benjamin Disraeli's government. In his second term, he secured passage of the Reform Bill of 1884. His cabinet authorized the occupation of Egypt in 1882, but his failure to rescue Gen. Charles George Gordon in Khartoum 1885 cost Gladstone much popularity and his government's defeat. In 1886 he was able to use Irish Home Rule to regain control of Parliament, but when his Home Rule Bill was rejected he resigned. He devoted the next six years to trying to convince the electorate to grant Home Rule to Ireland. .
The conservative government was voted out due to a depression in the agriculture and terribly planned foreign policy. Because of the waning government, Gladstone prepared for reelection as Prime Minister. With his return, new laws were created. Starting with the passage of the Reform Bill in 1884, this extended voting rights to farmers. There was much controversy behind his decision to create the Reform Bill, which became known as the Irish Question. .
William Gladstone, liked to get himself involved with foreign policy, when it benefited him, as most Prime Ministers do. Ireland was one place Gladstone meddled in time and time again. He started by dissolving the Church of Ireland. The Church of Ireland was of Anglican belief, which enabled the ridding of regular church payments. He then passed compensatory legislation for the evicted Irish, which allowed the giving of loans for those in need of land.
