Chapter 13: Grey and Melbourne

Question 1

When was Grey in office?

Answer 1

1830-34.

Question 2

What were Grey’s actions regarding the Great Reform Act?

Answer 2

He brought it in in 1832. After it was passed, he called an election and the newly-enfranchised Middle Classes gave him considerable majority. Showing he’s politically aware.

Question 3

What were Grey’s Government’s strengths?

Answer 3

Introduced series of social and administrative reforms (factory reform, abolition of slavery, reform poor law and banking system), newly enfranchised MC supported him, he was politically aware (snap election).

Question 4

What majority did Grey’s government have?

Answer 4

The Whigs had 479 seats whilst the Tories only had 179. It was a considerable majority.

Question 5

What were the weaknesses of Grey’s government?

Answer 5

Disagreements between Whigs and Radicals, continued unrest in Ireland and not knowing how to deal with it, and loss through resignation or retirement of several influential Whig leaders.

Question 6

Why were there disagreements between Whigs and Radicals?

Answer 6

The Radicals constantly pushed for reform, they would question everything, and the Whigs believed that there was no need for political reform.

Question 7

Who were the Radicals?

Answer 7

They were either men who had come into government as a result of the Reform Act e.g Thomas Attwood or older ones e.g William Cobbett

Question 8

Why was the effectiveness of Radicals reduced?

Answer 8

They were divided among themselves as to which issues were most important

Question 9

What was the situation in Ireland during Grey’s reign?

Answer 9

Rural unrest and calls for the repeal of the Act of Union, and the Whigs differed in how to deal with the probem.

Question 10

How did Greys government respond to the situation in Ireland?

Answer 10

1833-34, Church & Education reforms enacted, abolished Church tax, reducing dominance of Anglican Church of Ireland over Cath population. But it failed to satisfy the population.

Question 11

When the Church & Education reforms failed to satisfy the Irish population, what did the Government do?

Answer 11

Brought in the Coercion Act, 1833. It gave wide powers to the authorities in Ireland including curfew impositions and suppression of disturbances.

Question 12

What was ‘Appropriation’?

Answer 12

Proposed by Lord John Russell. The use of surplus Irish Church funds for the education and social bnefits for the largely poor, uneducated Irish population. Split the Whigs further, caused resignations and a factor in the bring down of Grey’s government.

Question 13

What’s Historian Dick Leonard’s Perspective on Grey’s Government ending?

Answer 13

After overseeing such an extensive period of reforms, Grey (now 70), “no longer possessed the energy of patience to deal with awkward and quarrelsome ministers”

Question 14

What period was Melbourne in office for?

Answer 14

1834-41

Question 15

What immediate reaction did Melbourne face?

Answer 15

He was met with discord from all sides of political spectrum: refused King’s request to include Peel and Wellington. To appease King he tread middle ground and excluded radical Whigs from cabinet which upset them.

Question 16

What was Melbourne’s approach to reform?

Answer 16

He had a conservative approach to Reform. He saw no more need for reform, and critics interpreted this as a lack of plan/laziness.

Question 17

What happened when Melbourne attempted to put Lord John Russell as Chancellor and Leader of Commons?

Answer 17

The King refused to accept this, he disliked Russell’s radical tendencies and dismissed the government even though it had majority in Commons.

Question 18

What was the reaction to the King dismissing Melbourne’s government and bringing in Peel?

Answer 18

The interference angered the Whigs and the Radicals, they made an effort to bring down Peel’s government. Peel was only in office for around 100 days. Melbourne came back, but with increased reliance on Radicals and Irish mps.

Question 19

What did the Irish MPs take the opportunity to call for after the Lichfield House Compact, 1835?

Answer 19

They ended the Act of Union, which discredited the Whig government

Question 20

What happened in 1837?

Answer 20

The Tories did increasingly well in the election. Melbourne resigned briefly, but returned when Peel refused to form a government.

Question 21

What did Melbourne’s government face?

Answer 21

An economic crisis, the Chartist Movement (Thomas Attwood) and Anti-Corn Law league. In July 1941, the Tories were victorious.

Question 22

Why did William IV invite Lord Melbourne to form an administration in August 1834?

Answer 22

With the object of safeguarding himself against policies he disliked- since although a Whig supporter, Melbourne was known for his conservative approach to reform (for a brief time he was a member of the Canningite Tory administration).

Question 23

What was Melbourne’s reaction to William IV asking Tory Sir Robert Peel to take office?

Answer 23

Historians McCord and Purdue suggest that Melbourne was relieved and ‘made no serious effort to resist this Royal decision’. Had Melbourne been more assertive, William would have been unable to act in what was regarded as an unconstitutional manner.

Question 24

What was the Lichfield House Compact, 1835?

Answer 24

A pact created by Lord John Russell and formed with Daniel O’Connell, leader of the Irish MPs. Pact promised Irish support for the Whigs in Parliament and a Whig commitment to carry through Irish reforms when the Whigs returned to power (since William had brought in Peel). The Radicals were divided over making any pact with the Irish MPS