2. Government: Pitt the Younger as Prime Minister and his successors Flashcards
When did Pitt the Younger enter the house of Commons, and at what age?
1781- at the age of 21
What was the difference between the Rockingham Whigs and the Shelburne Whigs?
Rockingham Whigs (including Fox) wanted to curb the King’s power, Shelburne Whigs wanted to protect it
Why was Pitt appointed as Prime Minister
To keep Fox and the Rockingham Whigs out, skills shown as Chancellor of the Exchequer
Why was Pitt’s appointment nicknames the Mince Pie Administration?
People didn’t think it would last until Christmas
- Faced a large majority
- No member of the Commons would serve in his Cabinet
- Isolated in a Cabinet made up of Lords
Why did the King dissolve Parliament in 1784? And what did he do to sway the outcome?
So Pitt could win a majority in the Commons. George III used patronage, and funded Pitt’s campaign
What was the National Debt by 1783?
£240 million
What was the Sinking Fund?
A fund which would be paid £1 million a year to help lower the national debt
Describe the background of Pitt’s trade reforms
Pitt adopted Free Trade, a theory of Adam Smith, to reduce tariffs and mercantilism, in order to boost trade and reduce smuggling
What was the Consolidation Act, and when was it passed?
1787- Custom duties were simplified so that goods could only qualify for one type of tax
What was the Hovering Act and when was it passed?
1787- Authorities could confiscate smuggled goods within four miles from the shore
What was the Exercise Bill?
Tobacco and spirits were allowed to enter the country untaxed, be stored in a warehouse and be exported tax free.
How did the Government make up the money lost from reducing tariffs on trade?
Introduced indirect taxes on commodities of the wealthy, e.g horses, ribbon, windows
Why did Pitt fail in creating trade treaties with other countries?
Treaty with Ireland was strongly opposed, as British manufactures feared competition from Irish workers willing to work for lower wages
Treaty within France in 1786- French Revolution in 1789 caused the success to be short-lived.
What administrative problems existed?
MPs took advantage of free post, use of public funds, profitable sinecure offices and pensions
How did Pitt deal with the administrative problems?
Abolished sinecure offices, new budgeting system for each government department, Consolidated Fund- revenue received from taxes would be stored, and from where the government would spend, Audit Office, abolish free post for MPs.
