5.3 HOW SIGNIFICANT WAS THE TRIENNIAL ACT OF 1694 IN PROMOTING PARLIAMENTARY POWER? Flashcards
8 themes as to how significant was the triennial act of 1694 in promoting parliamentary power?
williams ministers whig majority williamite wars whig junto triennial act 1694 licensing act 1695 court and country factions bill of resumption
What happened in the parliament in 1690?
- Whig majority
- William, instead of siding with the Whigs which would have been logical, attempted to woo the Tories
- Increase in power of the Privy Council over Parliament necessitated by the need to “manage Parliament”, blocked attempts to form a commission to investigate government accounts
- When William left to fight James’ force in the summer of 1690, favour was bestowed upon Court (loyal toc croown) Tories
Find evidence that the Royal Prerogative was still strong when it came to the king advisors (situation before 1694)
- Used his prerogative powers to choose his privy council
- Lord Halifax who had been dismissed by James and became close advisor of William .
- Earl of Danby as lord president of council - more effective.
Find evidence that the King was aware that he could not ignore P (esp commons) (Sit before 1694)
- Aware his position depended on P
- Struggles to understand the system of political parties
- unsure of Whigs. May have seemed natural allies but they wanted to limit monarchical power. Afraid some were republicans.
- Hoped to get Tories on side - tradition loyalty to monarchy
In 1690, the privy council had more influence than parliament, e.g.
An attempt by Parliament to set up a commission to investigate government accounts initially failed.
why did William make his privy council mixed
so as to be regarded as the king of the nation and not in favour of either party
Key events 1690-1693 - war in Ireland (Williamite war)
-Evidence that challenge historians view that GR was Bloodless-
- -> 1689 - James held a parliament in Ireland. Majority of the Catholic gentry offered support. Over 8,000 soldiers died when William’s forces defended the Siege of Derry in 1689.
- -> 1690- James and his supporters in Ireland are defeated by William at the battle of Boyne (james had a nose bleed ffs lmaoo)
- -> 1691- Half of James’ soldiers killed or captured in July 1691
- -> 1691-1692 - Series of defeats in the Nine years war against louis.
- -> 1692- Massacre of James supporters (Jacobite) by William’s supporters at Glencoe in Scotland
consequences of Williamite wars
Whigs established commission of accounts to control expenditure
the war also gave way to Whig Junto
many other political figures feared william was using foreign policy to consolidate his power and restrict parliament
tory critics tried to pass an act to ensure regular parliaments were called but William vetoed it
What were some of the actions of the Whig Junto?
- Powerful between 1692 and 1698
- Passage of the Triennial Act in 1694
- Pushed through “The Association” after an attempted assassination attempt on William in 1696, it was not signed by 89 Tories
- Charles Montagu was a financial genius and adapted Dutch financial institutions to an English situation
Did the balance of power change during 1690-1693>
Yes- William’s councillors left in England mostly Tories.
yes- Cost of the war in Ireland and against France was a concern = Whigs able to establish a commission of accounts to control expenditure
No- Attempts to pass a triennial Act in 1693 failed cause William used his royal veto. Even though it had been passed in both houses.
What was the term of the Act (tri act)
A p could not last last longer than 3 yrs
list 5 impacts of the triennial Act?
- increased contests for seats for Parliament
- The crowns ability to exert strong influence over the House of Commons lessened =
- The relationship between William and the commons
- A greater interest in Politics
- The commons’ confidence to challenge the gov increased
Explain the 5 impacts of the triennial Act?
- increased contests for seats for Parliament
- The crowns ability to exert strong influence over the House of Commons lessened.
- The relationship between William and the commons.
- A greater interest in Politics
- The commons’ confidence to challenge the gov increased
- increased contests for seats for Parliament = This is due to regular elections. between 1689-1715 only 19 constituencies did have a contest.
- The crowns ability to exert strong influence over the House of Commons lessened = Became diff to est support due to the rivalry bet Whigs & Tories
- The relationship between William and the commons = William had to try to secure support from MPs. This was a constant issue because regular elections meant MPs changed
- A greater interest in Politics = Better informed electorate (c. 200,000) - new press freedom after 1965 due to the licensing Act lapsing - pamphlets published to influence voters and MPs.
- The commons’ confidence to challenge the gov increased = More confidence - Inquires set up into corruption in government. speaker accused of bribery. William dissolved Parliament to avoid further investigation
How was monarchy limited by the Triennial Act 1694?
- More difficult for the monarch to establish a party in Parliament
- New press freedom increased the amount of political pamphleteering
- Gave Parliament new confidence
- William could not ignore Parliament and it forced him to appoint men he loathed like Wharton
How did monarchy remain unlimited after the 1694 Triennial Act?
- With greater party power, the King had more allies to choose from to pursue his own agenda
- There was still an underlying desire of the elites to join the royal court
- Power of the Privy Council
