2. GOVERNMENT: PITT THE YOUNGER AS PM AND HIS SUCCESSORS Flashcards
when was Pitt choosen to become PM?
1783
why did the King appoint Pitt, despite his inexperience?
- impressed with Pitts performance as MP
- detested the alternatives i.e. Fox
- he could trust Pitt after the american colonies
what was the political crisis of 1782?
after Rockingham died, after the American colony incident, Shelburne took over but his cabinet was short lived as Fox and North formed a coalition to take him down
who was james Fox?
- a whig member
- was bright and a good speaker
-his downfall was his constant criticism of the King, which led to the King disliking him
who was Lord Shelburne?
- a leading Whig
- close to Pitt’s father
- can easily influence Pitt
- distrusted for his secrecy
who was Pitt the younger?
- tory MP, soon to be PM
when did Pitt accept the appointment of PM?
1783
what was Pitt’s ruling/cabinet known as due to people believing it would not last?
the Mince Pie Administration
why was Pitts cabinet originally weak?
- had strong opposition from people such as Fox
-he had no people on his side in the house of commons, meaning he was restricted to the House of Lords - people were calling for his resignation
what was the 1784 election?
-the election between Fox and Pitt
-Pitt had won regaining the Kings and Pitt’s vote of confidence
- however some saw this as the King pushing his constitutional powers as he used his influence to gain Pitt votes
after the victorious election in 1784, where was Pitt eager to focus improvements on?
he was eager to improve the National Debt, a result of the war with the American colonies
what was the National Debt in 1783?
£240 million
how did Pitt intend to tackle national debt?
he set up a Sinking Fund
what was the Sinking fund?
the idea of paying £1 million into the fund, from taxation
what were the pros and cons of the Sinking Fund?
PROS:
1. successful peacetime policy
2. cut debt by around £10 million
CONS:
1. was a failure as a war time policy
when was the Consolidation Act?
1787
what was the Consolidation Act?
- the simplifications of outdated complex customs on imports or exports
why did Pitt introduce the Consolidation Act?
- he was interested in adopting the Free trade theory
- he thought the outdates tariffs restricted the development of trade and industry
what was the consequence of reforming the tariff system?
meant there were economic losses
what was Pitt’s solution for these losses?
he introduced new indirect taxes on things that the wealthy and upper classes used
when did Pitt make a free trade treaty with france?
1786
what was the aim of the free trade treaty with France?
lowered expenses of imports and exports between each country
when did the free trade treaty stop with france and why?
1789
stopped as a result of the French Revolution
what were the outcomes of the reforms?
- increased the annual revenue
- value of imports and exports doubled
- smuggling was not profitable
- stored national credit and public confidence
- put Britain in a stronger position than France when war broke out in 1793
