The British political system c1783
William Pitt the younger
In 1781 William Pitt the younger was elected into parliament at the age of 21. In 1782 he became chancellor of the exchequer (chief financial minister). King George the 3rd hated Pitts political rival,Charles Fox, so much that he asked Pitt to form a government instead. So, at the age of 24, William Pitt the younger became Britain's youngest prime minister in 1783.
When Pitt was put into office, this raised alarm as he had no following and faced a large majority opposition, he comprised his cabinet out of Lords and was isolated from the rest of the commons. His administration was weak and couldn't pass any legislation's. people mocked Pitt and dubbed his tenure as the 'mince pie administration' believing that it wouldn't survive past Christmas. Pitt survived due to the backing of the King, his own ambition and determination as well as fox upsetting his own followers and losing support.
Pitt waited until he was sure he had a majority to call for an election, this came in March 1784. Pitt was PM until 1806
George iii
Having just lost the war of independence to the USA. King George 3rd found it hard to accept his armies defeat and contemplated abdication. However he decided to remain king and continue to be involved in the countries politics. King George detested Charles Fox and his political coalition that had been set up and despite conceding initially, he dismissed the coalition in favour of William Pitt the younger.
Glorious revolution
In 1688 William of Orange was invited to invade Great Britain as the Parliament was fed up of king James 2nd and his tyrannical rule. As William and Mary were being crowned, the government laid out a set of rules for the king to follow. The main idea of these legislation's was that the king wasn't allowed to pass rules without the discussion and agreement of Parliament. This was important around 1783 as this meant king George had to appeal to the other ministers as his plans couldn't pass without the approval of Parliament.
Loss of American Colonies
The loss of the 13 colonies had a huge effect on Britain. Lots of money had gone into funding the war and the national debt had increased massively. Important trading had been hindered. The government demanded change to provide a better system. However, this lead to government reform and a focus on Britains other colonies
In 1781 William Pitt the younger was elected into parliament at the age of 21. In 1782 he became chancellor of the exchequer (chief financial minister). King George the 3rd hated Pitts political rival,Charles Fox, so much that he asked Pitt to form a government instead. So, at the age of 24, William Pitt the younger became Britain's youngest prime minister in 1783.
When Pitt was put into office, this raised alarm as he had no following and faced a large majority opposition, he comprised his cabinet out of Lords and was isolated from the rest of the commons. His administration was weak and couldn't pass any legislation's. people mocked Pitt and dubbed his tenure as the 'mince pie administration' believing that it wouldn't survive past Christmas. Pitt survived due to the backing of the King, his own ambition and determination as well as fox upsetting his own followers and losing support.
Pitt waited until he was sure he had a majority to call for an election, this came in March 1784. Pitt was PM until 1806
George iii
Having just lost the war of independence to the USA. King George 3rd found it hard to accept his armies defeat and contemplated abdication. However he decided to remain king and continue to be involved in the countries politics. King George detested Charles Fox and his political coalition that had been set up and despite conceding initially, he dismissed the coalition in favour of William Pitt the younger.
Glorious revolution
In 1688 William of Orange was invited to invade Great Britain as the Parliament was fed up of king James 2nd and his tyrannical rule. As William and Mary were being crowned, the government laid out a set of rules for the king to follow. The main idea of these legislation's was that the king wasn't allowed to pass rules without the discussion and agreement of Parliament. This was important around 1783 as this meant king George had to appeal to the other ministers as his plans couldn't pass without the approval of Parliament.
Loss of American Colonies
The loss of the 13 colonies had a huge effect on Britain. Lots of money had gone into funding the war and the national debt had increased massively. Important trading had been hindered. The government demanded change to provide a better system. However, this lead to government reform and a focus on Britains other colonies
Wow! This is a really great post!
ReplyDelete