8. Government: Canning, Goderich and Wellington as Prime Ministers Flashcards
When and why did Canning become Prime Minister?
1827, after the resignation of Lord Liverpool
What made politicians turn against Canning?
His view on Catholic Emancipation, his ideas were too far ahead, liberal approach to politics
Who saw Canning as a “natural ally”?
The Whigs- Canning approached a few to serve in his Cabinet
Who took over when Canning died in 1827?
Lord Goderich
Which influential Tories refused to serve under Canning?
The Duke of Wellington and Peel
What was the split in the Tory Party during the late 1820s to the 1830s?
The Ultra-Tories and the Canningites
What were the Canningite’s ideals?
Free Trade and Catholic Emancipation
Why was Canning unpopular in the House of Lords?
The Tories refused to co-operate with his policies, and the Whigs (lead by Earl Grey) wished to replace him with a fully Whig government
Who took over when Goderich resigned in 1828?
The Duke of Wellington
Who did Wellington appoint as his Home Secretary, and what were the Home Secretary’s conditions?
Robert Peel- to include the Canningites as their liberal ideas were popular with the people
Describe the different factions within the Tory party during the 1820s
Pro-Corn Law faction- agriculturalists who were concerned that proposal for a sliding scale would not offer their home-grown produce protection
Tories who recognised the importance of industrial growth and free trade
Traditional Tories- consider economic and administrative reform, but only if it preserved the state and the establishment
The Ultra Tories- preserve the establishment
When was Catholic Emancipation passed?
1829
When did George IV die?
June 1830
What was the result of the general election in 1830?
Favourable results for Canningites and Whigs, but Welligton remained in office
Who was a leading Canningite, and how did he die? What was the consequence?
William Huskinsson- train accident- robbed the Tories of a talented politician
Why was Wellington becoming increasingly unpopular?
Due to his lack of interest for Parliamentary reform- reactionary speech against reform
Who became Prime Minister after the Duke of Wellington’s resignation?
Lord Grey
What was the repeal of the Test and Corporation Act, and when was it issued?
1828- allowed Non-Conformists to hold public office (after pressure from groups such as Protestant Dissenters, Lord John Russell
Split the Tory Party further
Describe the Corn Law Sliding Scale, who issued it, and in what year?
1828- William Huskinsson- regulate the price of corn due to the economic situation, e.g poor harvests would mean a higher price of home grown corn, and a fall in taxes on imports of foreign grown corn. - Maintain a steady market
Why did Huskinsson resign?
Due to Wellington’s refusal to introduce the Corn Law sliding scale
When and what was Peel’s Metropolitan Police Act?
1829- funded Metropolitan Police- reduce crime rates
When and who founded the Catholic Association in Ireland?
Daniel O’Connell in 1823
What were the aims of the Catholic Association?
Catholic Emancipation and the repeal of the Act of Union
Who could join the Catholic Association
Anyone who paid the Catholic Rent- a penny a month
What did O’Connell do when the Catholic Association was made illegal?
He set up a new association called the Order of Liberation
What year was the County Clare Election?
1828
Why was the County Clare election originally called?
To enable the Irish Protestant Landlord Vesey Fitzgerald to take up a position in Wellington’s Cabinet
By what ratio did O’Connell win the election?
2:1
Why did Wellington and Peel issue Catholic Emancipation?
So O’Connell could take his seat in Parliament because if he was refused, there would be civil unrest in Ireland, and demand for the repeal of the Act of Union
How many Tories voted against Catholic Emancipation in 1829?
142
What were the consequences of the County Clare election?
The Catholic Association was banned, and the 40 shilling franchise in Ireland was raised to £10- taking away the power to vote of Catholic smallholders
What was the political consequence to the passing of Catholic Emancipation?
Wellington called to a duel, Peel resigned from Oxford seat, split of the Tory Party.
