Pitt and his successors

Question 1

When did Pitt enter the Commons?

Answer 1

He entered the commons in 1781 as an MP at the age of 21.

Question 2

Why did the King appoint Pitt as PM?

Answer 2

To keep the ambitious Fox out of office.

Question 3

What was Pitt’s initial government labelled as?

Answer 3

The Mince Pie administration as many believed it wouldn’t survive beyond Christmas due to a lack of support.

Question 4

Why was there an election in 1784?

Answer 4

Pitt asked the King to call one due to the lack of support for Fox and saw it as a chance to gain a majority in Parliament.

Question 5

What was the outcome of the 1784 election?

Answer 5

Pitt gained a majority and Fox saw 160 of his followers lose their seats in Parliament.

Question 6

What was the level of national debt in 1783?

Answer 6

£240 million.

Question 7

What did Pitt create to tackle national debt?

Answer 7

The Sinking Fund

Question 8

What was the Sinking Fund?

Answer 8

A fund in which £1 million was made into a year from taxation to tackle debt. It was successful as a peacetime policy but failed in war time.

Question 9

Mercantilism

Answer 9

The method of trade regulation which involved a large system of tariffs.

Question 10

Indirect Taxes.

Answer 10

Taxes on everyday items such as windows, soap and candles

Question 11

Consolidation Act of 1787

Answer 11

The removal of outdated and complex custom duties

Question 12

The Hovering Act.

Answer 12

An act which enabled authorities to confiscate ships that were carrying smuggled goods.

Question 13

What were the outcomes of Pitt’s reforms by 1793?

Answer 13

Government revenue had increased by £4 million and British were in a stronger position than France by the war

Question 14

What treaties were made by Pitt?

Answer 14

One with Ireland was strongly opposed so a treaty was made with France to reduce duties on imports. Was successful shortly until the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789.

Question 15

Sinecure Offices

Answer 15

Positions with salary that were handed out to MP’s to gain their support that required very little or no work.

Question 16

When did Pitt resign?

Answer 16

1801

Question 17

Why did Pitt resign in 1801?

Answer 17

Due to King George III’s refusal to accept Catholic Emancipation which Pitt had promised in the Act of Union in 1800 with Ireland.

Question 18

Who was Pitt’s successor?

Answer 18

Henry Addington

Question 19

What was the problem with Addington’s government?

Answer 19

It was weak and lacklustre and performed poorly in Parliament.

Question 20

When did Pitt return as PM?

Answer 20

1804

Question 21

When did Pitt die?

Answer 21

He died in January 1806 at the age of 46 due to being unwell. He had a weak grip on Parliament at this point.

Question 22

Who followed Pitt in 1806?

Answer 22

Lord Grenville and his government was called the Ministry of all Talents. It abolished slavery in 1807 but he resigned in 1807 over the Kings refusal to accept Catholic Emancipation.

Question 23

Who took office following Grenville?

Answer 23

The Duke of Portland took office of what was essentially a Tory administration despite being a Whig. Was accused of corruption and military ineptitude and resigned in 1809.

Question 24

Who followed the Duke of Portland as PM?

Answer 24

Spencer Perceval who was not open to reform and held an anti catholic stance. Dealt with the regency issue due to George III’s poor health. Was assassinated in the House of Commons in 1812.