2. GOVERNMENT: PITT THE YOUNGER AS PM AND HIS SUCCESSORS

Question 1

when was Pitt choosen to become PM?

Answer 1

1783

Question 2

why did the King appoint Pitt, despite his inexperience?

Answer 2

• impressed with Pitts performance as MP
• detested the alternatives i.e. Fox
• he could trust Pitt after the american colonies

Question 3

what was the political crisis of 1782?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

who was james Fox?

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

who was Lord Shelburne?

Answer 5

• a leading Whig
• close to Pitt’s father
• can easily influence Pitt
• distrusted for his secrecy

Question 6

who was Pitt the younger?

Answer 6

• tory MP, soon to be PM

Question 7

when did Pitt accept the appointment of PM?

Answer 7

1783

Question 8

what was Pitt’s ruling/cabinet known as due to people believing it would not last?

Answer 8

the Mince Pie Administration

Question 9

why was Pitts cabinet originally weak?

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

what was the 1784 election?

Answer 10

-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

Question 11

after the victorious election in 1784, where was Pitt eager to focus improvements on?

Answer 11

he was eager to improve the National Debt, a result of the war with the American colonies

Question 12

what was the National Debt in 1783?

Answer 12

£240 million

Question 13

how did Pitt intend to tackle national debt?

Answer 13

he set up a Sinking Fund

Question 14

what was the Sinking fund?

Answer 14

the idea of paying £1 million into the fund, from taxation

Question 15

what were the pros and cons of the Sinking Fund?

Answer 15

PROS:
1. successful peacetime policy
2. cut debt by around £10 million
CONS:
1. was a failure as a war time policy

Question 16

when was the Consolidation Act?

Answer 16

1787

Question 17

what was the Consolidation Act?

Answer 17

• the simplifications of outdated complex customs on imports or exports

Question 18

why did Pitt introduce the Consolidation Act?

Answer 18

• he was interested in adopting the Free trade theory
• he thought the outdates tariffs restricted the development of trade and industry

Question 19

what was the consequence of reforming the tariff system?

Answer 19

meant there were economic losses

Question 20

what was Pitt’s solution for these losses?

Answer 20

he introduced new indirect taxes on things that the wealthy and upper classes used

Question 21

when did Pitt make a free trade treaty with france?

Answer 21

1786

Question 22

what was the aim of the free trade treaty with France?

Answer 22

lowered expenses of imports and exports between each country

Question 23

when did the free trade treaty stop with france and why?

Answer 23

1789
stopped as a result of the French Revolution

Question 24

what were the outcomes of the reforms?

Answer 24

• 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

Question 25

what were the administrative problems that Pitt faced?

Answer 25

• government was inefficient
• no set procedures
• MP’s jobs overlapped
• MPS took advantage of government money

Question 26

what administrative solutions did Pitt find?

Answer 26

• abolished sinecure ministers
• devised a new budgeting system
• established an Audit Office, curbing corruption
• abolished free post for MPs