Pitt's successors Flashcards
Give a chronology of the terms of office of Pitt’s successors
1801-1804: Henry Addington
1804-1806: Pitt returns to office
1806-1807: Lord Grenville
1807-1809: Duke of Portland
1809-1812: Spencer Perceval
1811: Prince of Wales made regent
1812: PM Perceval assassinated
Describe Henry Addington
Also known as the 1st Viscount of Sidmouth. Son of the physician to Pitt’s father and Pitt’s childhood friend, but he was more conservative and anti-reform than Pitt. His strengths went unrecognised as PM, as he was seen as being in Pitt’s shadow. He developed a reputation for ruthless efficiency in suppressing popular demonstrations as home secretary between 1812-22
Describe Addington’s relationship with income tax
He briefly aloished income tax in 1802 during a brief period of peace in the wars with France. Upon reinstaing it in his war budget of 1804, he improved Pitt’s version by deducting taxes before workers were paid - the basis of the modern system of direct taxation
Why did Pitt resign in 1801?
Becuase of the King’s refusal to accept Catholic emancipation, which Pitt had promised as part of his deal over the act of the union
How long had Pitt been in office for after his 1801 resignation?
17 years
Why was Addington appointed as Pitt’s replacement?
He was a politician that Pitt held in high regard, so Pitt recommended that he replace him
What does historian Boyd Hilton say about Addington’s premiership?
‘He left Britain in a much stronger place than he found it’
What brought Addington’s administration down?
His ministry was weakened by his own lacklustre performance in parliament and opposition schemes to bring him down. By 1804, many were convinced that Britain needed Pitt back and Addington’s support fell away
Describe Pitt’s second stint as PM
Attempted to form a broad coalition government, but George III prevented this by preventing him from appointing Fox. Pitt was seriously unwell and no longer had such a firm grasp on government matters. He was probably heading for defeat in the commons when he died on the 23 Jan 1806 at the age of 46
Describe Lord Grenville’s government
Optimistically referred to as the ministry of all talents. It included Fox as foreign secretary, whose appointment the King finally had to accept. Within months, Fox was dead, and with him a large part of the government’s talent. One important achievement was the 1807 abolition of the slave trade, which had been attempted by Pitt in 1788, but destroyed by powerful commercial interests. Grenville’s liberal mind and principled ways caused him to, much like Pitt resign over the issue of Catholic emancipation. His short premiership would be defined by his lack of success as a wartime leader
Briefly descrine Lord William Grenville
Pitt’s cousin. Entered politics in 1782. Was part of Pitt’s government as home secretary in 1789 and foreign secretary in 1791. Left office with Pitt in 1801 over the issue of Catholic emancipation, but then threw in his lot with the leading whig, Charles James Fox, and so did not return to office with Pitt. Continued in opposition for many years after his 1807 resgnation
Briefly describe Spencer Perceval
Tory MP who became PM in 1809 after holding the office of chancellor during the previous ministry of the duke of portland. He is remembered for his assassination
Describe the ministry of the Duke of Portland?
Took over the position in what was effectively a tory administration in 1807, despite being a leading member of the whig aristocarcy. He had become an admirer of Pitt as his home secretary in the 1790s, and had rigorously applied Pitt’s repressive measures against radical agitators. His timed as PM was marked by accusations of corruption and military ineptitude. He failed to direct policy and left the cabinet to their own devices. Resigned through ill health in 1809 and died shortly afterwards
How does historian Dick Leonard describe Spencer Perceval?
‘too rooted to the past and the ideas of Pitt’
