How did Pitt come into power? Flashcards
Pitt Power Timeline
1783 Dec - Appointed PM
March 1784- Asked George to dissolve Parliament to hold a general election.
1783-1793 Gov affairs expanded to cover social and economic affairs.
1793 French wars
1801 Pitts resigned
1801 Act of Union
Who was William Pitt?
Tory
1983-1801
Priority to reduce national debt after losing the American Wars = £250,000,00
Oversaw French wars.
1786 introduced the Sinking Fund.
Introduced his own East India Bill
Strengthened Power in India.
His foreign policy was mildly successful - 1788 he made alliances with Prussia and Holland + aimed at restricting French influences.
Navigated 1790 Nookta sound crisis- a dispute between Britain and Spain over territory and trading rights on the Pacific Northwest coast of North America.
Who was Charles James Fox?
Held a strong European sense and was patriotic
Wanted mutual obligations in Parliament.
Believed the monarchy was corrupt and must be weakened.
Libel Acts 1792 - Juries right to decide if a defendant is guilty.
Britain’s first forign Secretary in the years - 1782,83 and 1806.
Bankrupted twice in 1780 due to a gambling addiction
Wanted to Abolish slavery.
What was the 1788-89 Regency crisis?
George iii became seriously ill in November. Likely that Prince George would take over and Pitt would be dismissed. Fox was a good friend of George’s. Pitt insisted that George only take over with the consent of Parliament and subject top their conditions.
In Jan 1789 the Regency Bill was passed by the commons:
Regent was obliged to keep current gov, he he no right of patronage, had no power to grant people pensions.
How did the Regency crisis help Pitt?
He managed to successfully control the Regent using Parliament and supported Parliamentary power which benefited many, highlighting Fox’s greed as he was defending and advocating Royal Prerogative.
