Lancaster Pamphlets – serie

In this lucid and readable study, Michael Mullet explains the historical importance of a man and a movement whose influence are still felt in the modern world. The pamphlet locates John Calvin in the context of early 16th-century France and then charts his emergence as an influential theologian and civic religious leader in the 'second generation' of reformers following Luther. After exploring the main lines of Calvin's theology, set out in the Institutes, the central section deals with the difficult process by which his authority was imposed on, or accepted by, Geneva. Finally, the long-term impact of John Calvin is evaluated, including the hypothesis that Calvinism has assisted the economic development of Europe.

Disraeli is a key figure for students of nineteenth-century Britain. He is indelibly identified with the unmaking of Peel's version of the Conservative Party, and with the re-creation of a durable and outstandingly successful new party which retained the loyalty of the squires and the shires while reaching out to newer forms of property ownership and cultivating the attachment of a significant proportion of the urban working class.John K. Walton here examines the major aspects of Disraeli's career and his legacy, asking how far his actions and policies were governed by principles and how far by expediency. He also enquires how far Disraeli set his own agenda and how far he was a rider of currents out of his control. Finally, Walton takes a careful look at his political, institutional and ideological legacy.

In the 1930s Spain underwent a period of intense and bloody upheaval that culminated in three years of civil war and the triumph of the Nationalist rebels under General Franco. Hundreds of thousands of Spanish - and non-Spanish - people died in their struggle against what was seen as the greatest evil of the time: fascism and its commitment to the defeat of democracy. Fifty years on, with the coming of a new democracy to Spain, previously inaccessible research materials have become available to historians; old orthodoxies have been challenged and the continuing debate concerning the origins of the Spanish Civil War has been lively. In the light of this renewed interest Martin Blinkhorn has provided a lucid and readable introduction to events in Spain in the 1930s.

In this study of Stephen's reign, Keith Stringer looks at the relationship between government, warfare, and the rise and fall of medieval states. Using primary sources and the most recent research, he offers an important re-evaluation of the so-called `Anarchy' and a radical reassessment of Stephen's ability as a ruler.

With a public career spanning 62 years, Gladstone dominated the Victorian political arena. Yet he remains an enigmatic figure; a high Anglican, Tory protectionist who became leader of the Liberals, a party associated with free trade and religious Nonconformity. Michael Winstanley examines both Gladstone and the environment in which he operated, concentrating in particular on the political and social composition of the party which he led. He argues that the parliamentary `Gladstonian Liberals' were far from unqualified supporters of Gladstone and that much of his power was derived from his popularity amongst the electorate. He concludes with an assessment of Gladstone's achievements and his political legacy.

The importance of Henry VII is the subject of heated debate. Did his reign mark the start of a new era, or was its prevailing characteristic continunity with the past? The pamphlet:· emphasizes the lasting political stability established during the reign· demonstrates the difference between Henry's policies and those of the Yorkists· shows how successors built on Henry's legacy· argues that victory at Bosworth in 1485 can be seen as initiating a genunine 'Tudor revolution in government'.

This pamphlet examines the principal developments of party organization, electoral growth and policy-making in the period. It gives particular attention to the constituent elements that made up the party and the nature of its support and explores the party's predominant attitudes, ideology and policies from 1900 to 1931.

John Gooch's book is a concise introduction to the unification of the Italian states and the legacy of this union. Starting in 1815 at the end of the Napoleonic Wars, the book goes on to explain how, despite the causes of disunity, these Italian states shared racial, linguistic, and cultural factors, which led to their eventual political unity.

The period 1618-1648 was one of the most complex in European history. Religion interacted with rebellion and dynastic rivalry in a series of conflicts in central Europe known collectively as the Thirty Years War. This book guides the reader through the period by surveying the narrative of events and establishing the essential chronological framework. In addition Stephen Lee looks at such key issues as the motives of the participants, their gains and losses, as well as at the religious, military, social and economic aspects of the War. Each section in the book incorporates the most recent research.

An understanding of Lloyd George's long and prominent political career elucidates many of the key issues in modern British history. Seen by some as `the man who won the war', he was central to the political activity which appeared to secure the pre-eminence of the Liberal party before the First World War, but which later contributed to its reduction in status. His initiatives in government, particularly in the area of social reform, helped to redefine the relationship between the state and society and laid the basis for the Welfare State.This pamphlet examines these developments with reference to Lloyd George's Welsh background, his personal ambitions and his response to the challenges posed to Liberal society by radical conservatism and socialism. It draws on the wealth of material that is now available and provides a concise, interpretive study.

Susan Doran describes and analyses the process of the Elizabethan Reformation, placing it in an English and a European context. She examines the religious views and policies of the Queen, the making of the 1559 settlement and the resulting reforms. The changing beliefs of the English people are discussed, and the author charts the fortunes of both Puritanism and Catholicism. Finally she looks at the strengths and weaknesses of Elizabeth I as royal governor, and of the Church of England as a whole.

James I has traditionally been portrayed as a foolish and unpleasant man. However, the last two decades have seen a rehabilitation of James I by historians, who have begun to appreciate that in some areas, in particular foreign policy and religion, he pursued sensible policies and achieved a considerable degree of success. Christopher Durston deals with the personality and political ability of the monarch, the court, finance, parliament, foreign policy and religion, including his record in Scotland and the legacies of Elizabeth I. The arguments of the revisionist historians concerning James's relations with his parliaments are examined in detail, as well as the recent `postrevisionist' backlash.

Shennan examines the changing criteria upon which European relations were based between 1689 and 1789, a complex period which saw:* the decline of dynasticism* the emergence of economic power as a concomitant of military might* the growth of British influence* the dawn of nationalismFor easy reference, this book also contains extensive chronologies of the important battles, treaties and alliances of the period, along with a list of further reading.

The Labour governments of 1945-51 are among the most important and controversial in modern British history, and have been the focus of extensive research over the last fifteen years. In this study, Robert Pearce makes the results of this research available in a concise and accessible form, whilst encouraging students to formulate their own interpretations. He looks at the main political personalities of the period, sets their work in the context of Labour history since 1900, and examines their domestic, foreign and imperial achievements.

Michael Mullett reconsiders, in the light of recent r attlee's* and of altering perceptions of the English past, the events of the crucial years 1678-1688; from the Restoration era through the exclusion crisis, and subsequent reign of James to the `Glorious Revolution' of 1688. He focuses on the central role of James, Duke of York, and from 1685-1688, King of England, but locates the growing difficulties of his reign within the wider context of political and religious trends.

Looks at the king and his beliefs, domestic problems, and foreign policy.

Peter the Great, whose reign saw the explosion of Russia onto the European scene, has become a legendary figure in history, as well as the subject of abiding controversy over the past two decades. Does he deserve the title 'The Great'? Was he 'enlightened' or 'barbaric'? Were his domestic reforms planned, or introduced as a direct result of the needs of war? Peter the Great answers key questions about his territorial expansion and domestic reforms. It reflects existing controversies and allows the reader to consider the views of a range of historians - Russian, English and American. The author avoids a narrative approach in order to focus on analysing issues that students are expected to address in their essays.

Chartism is an essential introduction to the movement, and examines the controversial debates surrounding the topic. As well as providing a concise period background, the author includes discussion of:* the Chartists' economic, legislative and political goals* patterns of regional and local support* reasons for the Chartist decline* the success of Chartism in the light of its goals and its influence over the Poor Law, Corn Laws, trade unions and factory reform* the languages of Chartism - songs, gesture and propaganda.

The Reform Act of 1867 was highly controversial at the time and has remained so. Was it an inevitable step on the road to full democracy or an irresponsible gamble by a politician desperate to win a tactical victory?

Professor Woolrych surveys the establishment and history if the Commonwealth and Protectorate, first explaining how the country lost its king, and how Oliver Cromwell became Lord Protector. Professor Woolrych challenges accepted views on the nature of the Protectorate, and finally offers some guidelines to the tangled period between Cromwell's death and the Restoration.

When Henry VIII died in 1547 he left a church in England that had broken with Rome - but was it Protestant? The English Reformation was quite different in its methods, motivations and results to that taking place on the continent.This book:* examines the influences of continental reform on England* describes the divorce of Henry VIII and the break with Rome* discusses the political and religious consequences of the break with Rome* assesses the success of the Reformation up to 1547* provides a clear guide to the main strands of historical thought on the topic.

Luther provides a clear exposition of the state of German politics on the eve of the Reformation. Dr Mullett concentrates particularly on the evolution of Luther's thought and its central preoccupation with re-aligning the church's theology with that of the New Testament.

The 1832 Reform Act was a watershed in the history of modern Britain, profoundly affecting the composition of parliament and the course of all subsequent legislation.This new edition of The Great Reform Act of 1832 extends and updates Eric J. Evans's classic account of the crucial political and economic issues and:* highlights the travails of Toryism at the end of the 1820s* clarifies complex questions of policy* shows the connections between the Reform Act of 1832 and subsequent radical activity and reform legislation* presents revised electoral statistics.An accessible and stimulating guide to the student of modern political history, students of history and political history will find this invaluable to their studies.

This fully revised second edition takes account of historical work produced during the last decade. Covering the period between Louis XIV's death in 1715 and the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789, it discusses:* France's accomplishments in international affairs, commercial expansion, and intellectual and artistic life* the significance of long-term political, social and economic forces in causing the Revolution* how the changing perception of government, from one of divine-right kingship towards the idea of a national enterprise, ultimately undermined the old regime.

The early nineteenth century was marked by public disorder, governmental repression and correction. It was a period of revolution, reaction and reform.This pamphlet focuses on three key issues:* the factors which combined to produce the turmoil and uprisings of 1812-21 and the severity with which they were put down* the validity of the distinction between 'repressive' and 'liberal' phases of the administration* the ability of Lord Liverpool as Prime Minister.

Ruth Henig's fully revised and extended second edition of Versailles and After includes a new chapter on recent historiography of the subject and provides students with concise coverage of the following topics:* the terms of the Treaty of Versailles* the inadeqacies of the League of Nations as a supranational peacekeeping body* why hopes of long term stability gradually faded.

In this pamphlet Margaret Shennan surveys the rise of Prussia from the early seventeenth century to 1740, highlighting and evaluating the role of its rulers, in particular of Frederick William I, the Great Elector, and his two successors. The author takes account of:* international relations* social and economic structures* domestic pressures* ethical and cultural influences* idiosyncratic personalities* terrain and boundaries.

During the 1640s, the kingdoms ruled by Charles I - England and Wales, Scotland and Ireland - were gripped by a series of civil wars and conflicts which were, in part, distinct to each kingdom, but which also overlapped and inter-related, leading some British historians to portray them as a single 'British' conflict. The British Wars by Peter Gaunt offers a concise history of these wars, from the beginning of Charles I's travails with the Scots to the conclusion of the wars at the Battle of Worcester and the English conquest of Ireland and Scotland.Providing a clear, concise and balanced account of events in England and Wales, Scotland and Ireland, this book* explores the relationship between the three kingdoms*looks at military, political and religious developments in each* assesses whether the wars can be seen as a single 'British' conflict or should be viewed as a series of inter-related but essentially separate wars.

This book represents a much-needed reappraisal of Germany between the wars, examining the political, social and economic aims of the new republic, their failure and how they led to Nazism and eventually the Second World War. The author includes:* an examination of the legacy of the First World War and the Treaty of Versailles* discussion of the early years of crisis culminating in the Ruhr Invasion and the Dawes Settlement* assessment of the leadership of Stresemann and Bruning* exploration of the circumstances leading to the rise of Hitler* an outline of the historiography of the Weimar Republic.