~1878: How to block a Great Power
January 1878: With the fall of Plevna, the Russians have been able to continue their advancing in the Balkans, eventually defeating the Ottomans in Bulgaria. With the outcome of the war now beyond doubt, Disraeli pressures the Russians into accepting a Ottoman offer of a cease fire.
February 1878: Citing civil unrest, Sultan Abdul Hamid II dismisses the Ottoman parliament and refuses to call new elections, effectively suspending the constitution of 1876 and beginning an increasingly conservative personal rule. In order to cement his control Abdul Hamid exiles the leaders of the Young Ottoman Movement, effectively preventing any organised resistance.
February 1878: The Ottoman defeat has left the way way open for an advance on Constantinople. Despite the cease fire, the Russians continue their advance toward the city. Fearing the possibility of the Russians gaining control of the Turkish Straits, Disraeli dispatches a Royal Navy squadron to the Black Sea in an effort to dissuade them. The plan is successful and the Russians halt their advance short of the city. However the radicals in the Liberal Party capitalise on public hostility toward the Ottomans to fiercely criticise Disraeli's actions.
February 1878: With the ongoing Long Depression, there have been widespread calls in the US to resume the minting of silver dollars and adopt bimetalism once more, despite the inflationary effects which this would bring. In response to this pressure Congress passes the Bland-Allison Act requiring the US Treasury to resume minting silver dollars. While the act is vetoed by President Rutherford Hayes, Congress votes to override the veto and bring the act into law. While Hayes does attempt to limit the effect of the act by restricting the purchase of silver to the minimum legally required and all but preventing the minting of silver coins of less than a dollar, the act does increase the money supply in the US, easing the economic depression, albeit at the cost of increased inflation.
February 1878: Since his appointment as Colonial Secretary, Lord Carnarvon has been trying to impose British control over Southern Africa. His indention is to united the British Colonies, Boer Republics and Indigenous African states in a single large confederation, the annexation of Transvaal the previous year being one part of this plan. In another, he has appointed Henry Frere as High Commissioner for Southern Africa and Governor of Cape Colony to implement his plan. However the government of Cape Colony has fiercely opposed Lord Carnarvon's plan from its inception, fearing, probably correctly, any union with the illiberal and racist Boers would destroy their non-racially based electoral system and that the entire project is likely to result in war with the Boers. The Cape governments opposition has been continually frustrating Frere's attempts to annex the local African states. In order to overcome this obstacle, Frere appeals for and is granted permission to suspend responsible government in the Cape and assume direct control of the colony. Frere acts immediately to remove the elected government of John Molteno and replace it with an appointed government under his local ally, Gordon Sprigg. Sprigg immediately begins attempting to undermine indigenous rights in the colony and expanding its borders by conquering the African states.
March 1878: With the war now over, the Russians impose the Treaty of San Stefano. This treaty creates an independent Bulgaria, Montenegro, Serbia and Romania. Bulgaria is rewarded with huge territorial gains, including access to the Aegean Sea. Montenegro and Serbia also gain significant additional territory. Romania is required to cede Southern Bessarabia to Russia in return for Northern Dobruja from the Ottomans. The Ottomans are also required to make considerable concessions to the Russians in the Caucasus. While most of the victors are satisfied with the treaty, the Romanians are deeply disappointed, feeling betrayed by the Russians.
March 1878: Disraeli's program of social reform has faltered for a number of years as he has focused on the Great Eastern War. However after years of agitation, the laws regarding factory workers are consolidated into the Factories and Workshops Act, replacing all previous legislation regulating factories. Unlike previous acts which only covered certain industries and certain groups of workers, this act covers all industries and all workers in the entire United Kingdom. There is considerable opposition to the act, especially over its inclusion of men and the limits on working hours imposed. However it narrowly passes with support from the Liberals and Irish Home Rule League, The act limits working hours to 60 per week with no more than 10 per day. It also guarantees workers certain public holidays, amounting to two full days and eight half days. Finally it prohibits the employment of children under 13. Despite the opposition, it proves highly effective, increasing both productivity and efficiency, greatly improving Britain's overall economic situation in the Long Depression.
April 1878: British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, Austen Layard, witnesses the plight of thousands of impoverished Balkans Jews who have fled pogroms committed by the victorious Russians and their Balkan allies in the wake of the Turkish defeat. He writes a number of articles highlighting their desperate situation. The articles create significant sympathy. This will lead to the foundation of the Interfaith Jewish Relief Society to provide aid. The charity is supported by a number of prominent members of the Anglican, Catholic and Jewish faiths. The Conservative peer Lord Shaftesbury, noted social reformer and long time supporter of Zionism, agrees to act as patron.
May 1878: In what will come to be considered the last witchcraft trial in the US, Christian Scientist Lucretia Brown sues fellow Christian Scientist Daniel Spofford for attempting to harm her via “mesmeric mental powers.” The case, held in Salem Massachusetts, is dismissed by the judge, as are Brown's later attempts to appeal.
May 1878: British Colonial Secretary Lord Carnarvon resigns over disagreement with Disraeli regarding his policies in the Great Eastern War. He is replaced by Lord Derby, who's position as Foreign Secretary has become untenable after it being revealed he has passed Cabinet secrets to the Russians in an attempt to avoid war. He is replaced as Foreign Secretary by Lord Salisbury.
June 1878: The Great Powers are greatly concerned by terms of the Treaty of San Stefano. Consequently German Chancellor, Otto von Bismark calls a Congress of the Great Powers in Berlin to review the situation. The participants are the six Great Powers and the Ottomans. The Balkans states, including Greece, are allowed to attend sessions effecting them. The British delegation attempts to moderate the Congress in regard to the Ottomans, Having signed a secret agreement giving them control of Cyprus in return for this support. Unfortunately their freedom of action was limited by fear of creating further domestic opposition after Disraeli's dispatch of the squadron the the Black Sea, In the subsequent Treaty of Berlin, Serbia and Montenegro are forced to relinquish control of Bosnia, Herzegovina and Sandžak to the Austro-Hungarian occupation. The Ottomans are allowed to retain Thrace, Macedonia, and Albania. However, due to the considerable domestic opposition to the government's support for the Ottomans, the British are unable to prevent Serbia from retaining Kosovo or Bulgaria Eastern Rumelia. Despite their limited success, the British insist on Ottomans honouring their secret agreement, and take control of Cyprus. During the negotiations, the Greeks press their claims in Thessaly and Crete. However, they are only supported by France and the Treaty merely contains a vague clause calling for the Ottomans and Greeks to settle issues over Thessaly via negotiation.
July 1878: With the Treaty of Berlin settling affairs in the Balkans, the Russians turn their attention to The Great Game and rivalries with the British over influence in central Asia. In an effort to exert greater influence in the vital border nation, the Russians dispatch an uninvited diplomatic mission to Afghanistan. Despite repeated appeals over the years by Emir Sher Ali Khan, successive British governments have refuse to guarantee support for Afghanistan against Russia. The last such refusal being against the recommendation of the then Viceroy of India, Lord Northbrook. Consequently, despite his efforts, the Emir is unable to prevent the Russian missions arrival.
July 1878: With it felt inappropriate and uneconomic to have indigenous Fijians working in Fiji's sugar plantations, a policy of importing indentured Indian labours is instituted. The first will arrive next year and over the next four decades, tens of thousands will be transported, with many remaining in Fiji.
August 1878: The Public Health (Ireland) Act extends the terms of the 1875 Act to Ireland. However this act goes further after Randolph Churchill, Joseph Chamberlain and William Shaw of the Irish Home Rule League force through an amendment allowing councils to require the demolition and replacement of older homes which fail to meet the new requirements. This amendment has been forced through against government opposition as the three men combined were able to gather enough support to force it through. This marks the start of cooperation between the three men.
September 1878: In an effort to reduce the continuing unrest in India left the wake of Lord Lytton's administration, Viceroy Richard Temple reduces many of the more stringent taxes imposed by the Raj. However the despised Salt Tax is not included. Nevertheless, the measure, along with Temple's massive increase in famine relief and repeal of some of Lord Lytton's more hated laws, does improve the situation and relative calm returns to much of India.
November 1878: In response to the arrival of the Russian mission in Kabul, the British have demanded the Emir accept a permanent British mission under General Neville Chamberlain. Emir Sher Ali Khan not only refuses, he orders the mission turned back in the Khyber Pass. This convinces the British the Emir has fallen under Russian influence. Therefore an invasion is launched, starting the Second Anglo-Afghan War.
December 1878: Despite his supposed retirement after his defeat in 1874, Gladstone has remained extremely active in politics, In a surprise move he announces his official return by joining the Progressive Party, The effect is to immediately split the Liberal Party with another 57 Liberals defecting to the Progressives, This leaves 127 Liberal MPs as against 115 in the Gladstone's Progressive Party. George Goschen steps aside as leader in the Commons. Gladstone embarks on a US style electioneering campaign, with speaking events throughout the country. These speeches attack Disraeli's record, focussing on his foreign policy, but also covering the abandonment of free trade and the general poor economic condition due to the Long Depression. The campaign starts in the Edinburghshire or Midlothian constituency, where Gladstone intends to stand in addition to his Leeds seat. Thus his campaign is referred to as the Midlothian Campaign.