Dynamic Force, Trojan Horse The First World War and its impact on the Christian churches of Wales . . . . As the franchise was extended during the Nineteenth century Wales became increasingly opposed (at least electorally)to war. Henry Richard elected MP for Merthyr Boroughs in the 1868 general election was a notable member of the Peace Society which eschewed war, and despite being an anti-slavery activist was also opposed to the American Civil War. The 1900 election saw Wales vote for the generally anti-Imperialist Liberals such as Lloyd George, as opposed to England which voted heavily in favour of the Conservative under Lord Salisbury who promoted and waged the South African War. This echoed the attitude of the principality fifteen years earlier when Wales had overwhelmingly favoured the liberal Prime Minister Herbert Gladstone who lost a great deal of support due his reluctance to involve British forces in overseas ventures. Gladstone encountered particular political difficul...