Gladstone & Disraeli

[Jammy]

In Disreali's second premiership the Eastern Question came about;
Gladstone had wanted to support the Christian proviences who were freeing themselves.
Disraeli however decided to keep the alliance with Turkey because he believed if the Proviences became independant countries they would fall under the influence of Russia and this would enable Russia to get ships on to the Med.
Now what if Gladstone had been in power?

 

[Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy]

Given the fact that Victoria was on Disraeli's side, I'd say it wouldn't have made any difference, except that the Russians would have been less scared of British intervention. No way was either Parliament or the queen going to allow Gladstone to help the czar.

There is, however, the potential for big differences. The Greeks might enter the war, for one thing, and Russia might manage to keep the San Stefano Treaty or get better terms at Berlin. But I doubt it; far more likely that Gladstone falls if he doesn't apply pressure on the Russians. The British voters may despise Turkey, but they fear Russia.