CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE

The Origins of the Conservative Party: Pitt and Disraeli

A graduate project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements

For the degree of Master of Arts

in History

By

Jacob Frederic Mermell

May 2020

Copyright by Jacob Mermell 2020

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The graduate project of Jacob Frederic Mermell is approved:

______Jefferey Auerbach, Ph.D. Date

______John Paul Nuño, Ph.D. Date

______Thomas Devine, Ph.D., Chair Date

California State University, Northridge

iii Dedication

I dedicate this project to Marvin Thau Z” L.

אני מקדיש את הפרויקט למנחם בן מרדכי .זכרונו לברכה

iv Table of Contents

Copyright Page ...... ii

Signature Page ...... iii

Dedication ...... iv

Abstract ...... vi

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Abstract

The Origins of the Conservative Party: Pitt and Disraeli

By

Jacob Frederic Mermell

Master of Arts

in History

In accordance with university regulations, the following is an abstract of my culminating experience project, which serves as the final requirement towards the completion of a Master of

Arts Degree in History. While the following abstract summarizes my project’s scholarly contribution, research questions, methods and conclusions, the final project is archived in the

Department of History at California State University, Northridge.

vi William Pitt the Younger and Benjamin Disraeli modeled the British Conservative Party in their own image. These two prime ministers through their pragmatic approach to politics changed their party’s and the nation’s politics. Both are especially important figures in the history of the

Conservative Party because of their policies on economics, social reform, and foreign policy. Pitt will forever be remembered as being the youngest prime minister in British History. He is also fondly remembered for his tireless efforts in defeating Napoleonic France. Disraeli for his part, is remembered in the annals of history for his one-nation conservativism, which has inspired countless generations of Tory politicians even up to the present.

For decades scholars have looked at both of these prime ministers and their respective policies.

This paper, however, will look at how these two political titans had employed similar ways to enact political changes. In doing so, it draws on political speeches, letters, newspaper headlines, and acts of parliament to try and discuss this topic.

The purpose of this research paper is to show the lasting impact Pitt and Disraeli had on the

British Conservative Party and how truly successful Pitt and Disraeli were in forging a new political establishment.

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