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Cartoon, The British Pioneers (Gladstone)
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Cartoon, The British Pioneers (Gladstone)
Cartoon, The British Pioneers -- Gladstone in uniform takes an axe to some tangled tree roots, representing the Army Bill, which proved difficult for his government to carry in parliament. Only the part of the Bill relating to the abolition of the Purchase System went ahead. Date: 1871
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Media ID 23361534
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1871 Analogy Comment Complicated Gladstone Legislation Liberal Metaphor Parliamentary Pioneers Punch Purchase Satire Satirical Session Tenniel Trouble Complication Complications
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This cartoon, titled "The British Pioneers (Gladstone)" from the 1870s, is a satirical commentary on the political complications surrounding the Army Bill during the parliamentary session of 1871. The image, created by the renowned British satirical artist, John Tenniel, for Punch magazine, depicts Prime Minister William E. Gladstone in full uniform, wielding an axe as he attempts to hack away at tangled tree roots. The metaphorical roots represent the Army Bill, which proved to be a significant source of trouble and complications for Gladstone's Liberal government. The Army Bill was a proposed legislation that aimed to reform the British military, including the abolition of the Purchase System, which allowed soldiers to buy their commissions. However, the more contentious parts of the Bill, such as the reduction in the size of the army and the extension of enlistment terms, faced fierce opposition in Parliament. Despite the challenges, only the part of the Bill relating to the abolition of the Purchase System was ultimately passed. This partial success is reflected in the image, as Gladstone seems to have only managed to cut through a small portion of the roots. The cartoon serves as a poignant analogy for the complications and frustrations that often accompany political legislation, and the tenacity required to push through reforms in the face of adversity.
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