Pitt's long tenure of office

Question 1

When was Pitt prime minister?

Answer 1

Pitt became Prime Minister in 1783 at the age of 24. He left office in 1801, but served as Prime Minister again from 1804 until his death in 1806.

Question 2

Why did Pitt have the support of King George III?

Answer 2

George III would do anything to prevent Fox or North from gaining power, this was because they wanted to limit the power of the king.

Question 3

What were the main factors for Pitt’s long tenure?

Answer 3

1. Support from King George III.
2. His popular reforms
3. He dealt strongly with radical threat.
4. The Whig weaknesses.
5. The Regency Crisis.
6. The French Revolution.

Question 4

How did the delaying of the election support Pitt?

Answer 4

This showed George III was using his powers in an attempt to advantage Pitt and disadvantage Fox and North. The King also had great political influence due to the power of offering sinecures in return for support. Because of the King’s support, Pitt was triumphant with a majority of 31.

Question 5

What did the King’s support in the House of Lords mean?

Answer 5

upport bills to make sure they passed this meant that Pitt had a comfortable majority all throughout his tenure. Therefore the King’s support in election management, political influence and wanting Pitt to be PM was crucial in the longevity of the premiership.

Question 6

What did the 1784 election mean for the Whigs?

Answer 6

A comfortable majority for Pitt and a crushing defeat for the ‘Whig’ opposition, meaning they were weak and so there was no credible alternative to Pitt.

Question 7

Why were the Whigs weak?

Answer 7

Foxites’ separate factions were squabbling between themselves which compared to Pitt’s united approach to dealing with problems looked weak.

Question 8

How did the French Revolution discredit the Whigs?

Answer 8

It was linked to Fox who supported it. So when it turned violent, Fox lost a lot of popularity and credibility because they thought Britain was going to go that way if Fox was elected and the British electorate who were the classes that the revolution targeted were scared of that happening.

Question 9

When was the Regency Crisis?

Answer 9

1788-89, when George III was taken ill with porphyria.

Question 10

What happened during the Regency Crisis?

Answer 10

Pitt was left without the king to actively pledge his support for any policies or government strategy, and there was the definite threat of having to install the Prince of Wales as Regent due to the illness.

Question 11

Why was Pitt fortunate during the Regency Crisis?

Answer 11

George III returned to health before any bill could be passed which effectively saved his position.

Question 12

What does the Regency Crisis show?

Answer 12

Clear evidence about the importance of George III supporting the ministry of William Pitt, as whilst he was absent Pitt had to struggle to maintain his job.

Question 13

How does the Regency Crisis prove Pitt’s strength?

Answer 13

He succeeded in fending off his opposition and retained sufficient support within the House of Commons without the help of the king demonstrates that his political abilities were also crucial to his lengthy ministry.

Question 14

What was the French Revolution a time of?

Answer 14

Potential danger for the king and thus also for the prime minister.

Question 15

What did Pitt do during the time of the French Revolution?

Answer 15

Pitt carefully introduced legislation to deal with radical groups harshly, thus keeping the favour of the king.

Question 16

What legislation did Pitt introduced during the times of unrest?

Answer 16

The Seditious Writings Actof 1795 - Designed to prevent the meetings of the Corresponding Societies taking place, and, although this act was largely ineffective it would be clear to the king that Pitt still had great support for him.

Question 17

What did Pitt suspend?

Answer 17

Habeas Corpus Act, which had been in place since 1679. Its suspension in 1794 emphasised the loyalty he felt to a monarch to whom he was conscious of owing his job.

Question 18

How was the use of such restrictive legislation viewed?

Answer 18

Seen by some as too harsh and in places unnecessary; it was however effective in suppressing the threat of revolution in England and thus maintained the monarchy which was central to Pitt’s role.