Chapter 7 - Lord Liverpool Flashcards
Why was the Queen’s affair bad for the government?
Tarnished Liverpool’s reputation, increased government’s unpopularity and roused popular demonstrations for the Queen which threatened constitutional stability
What was Lord Liverpool’s real name?
Robert Jenkinson
When was Huskisson appointed President of the Board of Trade?
1823
How and when did Huskisson die?
He fell in front of a train at the opening of the Liverpool-Manchester railway in 1830
What were the years George Canning first served as foreign secretary?
1807-09
When was Canning appointed Foreign Secretary for the second time?
1822
How long was Canning Prime Minister for in 1827?
5 months
Why did Canning spend some time in the political wilderness?
He was irritated by the overlap of his role with Secretary for War Lord Castlereagh (who he though was incompetent) and their quarrel turned into a duel
When did Liverpool become Prime Minister?
May 1812
In what years was Peel first Home Secretary?
1822-27
In what years was Peel Home Secretary for his second spell?
1828-30
Was Liverpool the Prince Regent’s first choice for PM?
No, but several attempts to appoint a Whig failed so he had to settle on Liverpool
Who was Liverpool’s first Lord Chancellor?
Lord Eldon, a reactionary Tory
Who was Liverpool’s first Chancellor of the Exchequer?
Nicholas Vansittart
Who was Liverpool’s first President of the Board of Trade?
JF Robinson
Why couldn’t Liverpool include Canning in his first cabinet?
Because Lord Castlereagh, who Canning refused to work with, was Foreign Secretary
How was Liverpool regarded by historians?
An uninspiring but morally sound and conscientious character who was a ‘safe pair of hands’
What skill helped Liverpool overcome the strongly differing views in his cabinet?
He was a skilled mediator
Why did Liverpool’s government ministers who sat in the House of Commons struggle?
They were outmatched in debating skills by a group of radicals and Whigs
What was Liverpool caught between during the first period of his prime ministry?
The declining system of patronage and a new, disciplined party machinery
Why was Liverpool fortunate in terms of government during the first period of his prime ministry?
The opposition lacked unity and leadership
When did the ‘Queen’s affair’ occur?
1820
What was the ‘Queen’s affair?’
An attempt by George IV to divorce his wife, Caroline of Brunswick, then exclude her from the throne when he came to power
How many sinecure offices did Lord Liverpool get rid of between 1815 and 1822?
~1800
Why was the popularity of the monarchy low in 1820?
Queen’s affair, extravagant behaviour and lax moral standards of George IV, who was seen as profligate and deserving of the contempt of his subjects
Who resigned during the Queen’s affair due to how the Queen was treated?
George Canning
What event in 1820 helped boost the popularity of Liverpool’s government?
Cato Street conspiracy
Who acted as an agent provocateur during the Cato Street conspiracy and how?
George Edwards, by suggesting the murders
What did the members of the Cato Street conspiracy plan to do?
Kill all the members of the cabinet at a dinner, then parade the heads of Lords Sidmouth and Castlereagh on spikes around the slums of London