T5: How far did Parliament become a partner in government 1689-1701? Flashcards
definition of partner in government?
- equal terms/same responsibilities and powers
- both indispensable
when did William form his Privy Council?
1689
what powers did William use to appoint ministers in his Privy Council?
prerogative powers, appointed own ministers as per the terms of the Bill of Rights
who did William appoint as Lord Privy Seal?
Lord Halifax
what was the significance of Lord Halifax?
not Whig or Tory - could transcend differences
what position did William appoint Lord Halifax to?
Lord Privy Seal
how did William attempt to create loyalty from both parties in his Privy Council?
Carefully selected balance of Whigs + Tories filled other posts, not always popular in Commons
who did William appoint as Lord President?
Danby
when was William’s first Parliament?
1690
what demonstrates the strengthening of the powers of the Privy Council over Parl?
attempt to establish Parliamentary commission to scrutinise gov finances = rejected
what demonstrates William’s desire to keep the powers he has?
relationship between Parl + Danby is strained but W defends right to lick own ministers and keeps Danby
when did William face war in Scotland and Ireland?
1690-2
examples of successful battles in Ireland for William?
- Battle of the Boyne (1690)
- Battle of Aughrim (1691)
when was the Battle of the Boyne?
1690
when was the Battle of Aughrim?
1691
what country were the Battles of the Boyne and of Aughrim?
Ireland
were the Battles of the Boyne and of Aughrim successful for William?
yes, victories
what is an example of a successful battle for William in Scotland?
put down Jacobite forces at the Glencoe Massacre, 1692
when was the Glencoe Massacre?
1692
what happened at the Glencoe Massacre?
William put down Jacobite forces
what country was the Glencoe Massacre?
Scotland
what was the impact of the war in Ireland for Parliament?
able to gain power as cost meant they could set up Parl commission to scrutinise and control gov expenditure
why were Parliament eventually able to set up a commission to scrutinise gov expenditure?
- 9 yrs war
- war in Ireland
what was the consequence of commission to scrutinise gov expenditure in terms of power?
Parliament gained power over the king
what was the significance of the wars in Scotland and Ireland?
Glorious Rev not bloodless, only bloodless in England
were the wars in Ireland and Scotland really a result of the Glorious Rev?
arguably not - meant GR not bloodless and Parl gaining power over king (scrutinising commission) not in fact result of GR
what were the Whig Junto ?
group of Whig rebels (not against crown, but had ideas that deviated from traditional Whig ones)
when were the Whig Junto active?
1692-7
what were the beliefs of the Whig Junto and what was their impact?
favoured a strong executive regular Parls and supported W’s war to promote Protestantism in Europe, became dominant in Parl and gov
what are examples of William retaining power?
his use of veto in the years 1692-4. uses it 3 times in these years
an example of William using his royal veto?
1693 vetoes the Triennial Bill
how many times does William use his veto 1692-4?
3
in what years does William use his power of veto 3 times?
1692-4
what does William’s use of his royal veto show?
William wanted to preserve his powers and still had key powers
what group tries to pass the Triennial Bill 1693?
Whig Junto
was the Triennial Act revolutionary?
no - seen twice before 1661 and 1664
why was the Triennial Act eventually passed?
increasing need for funds for war
when was the Triennial Act passed with Royal Assent?
Jan 1694
what was the significance of the passing of the Triennial Act 1694?
- shows William feels pressured to pass legislation he doesn’t like
- Parl now regular! - permanent place in gov - step towards ‘partner in government’
what did the Triennial Act 1694 mean?
- Meant Parl could not last longer than 3 years - meant new elections more regular
- MPs changing more frequently = harder for Crown to establish loyal following in Parl - had to work harder for support
what was passed jan 1694?
Triennial Act
what event was caused by the Triennial Act?
Rage of the Party
when was the Rage of the Party?
1694-1716
what is the instability caused by frequent elections caused by the Triennial Act called?
the Rage of the Party
impact of Triennial Act on Parliament?
- politics increasingly governed by loyalty to a party (after 1795 only 14% MPs engaged in cross-party voting)
- due to frequent elections
stats for impact of more frequent elections after the Triennial Act 1794?
- 6 elections 1689-1701
- each election saw average 100/269 seats contested, no seats contested in only 19 constituencies
what does increased number of seats being contested show?
people getting more involved in politics, having to decide between candidates, renewed interest in politics from those outside gov, esp 200,000 who could vote
how many men could vote at this time?
200,000
what problem do more frequent elections cause for William?
harder to gain loyalty in Parliament
when was the loyal ‘Association’?
1696
what did the loyal Association lead to?
removal from office of 86 JPs
what did the resistance to the loyal Association show?
opposition to William still significant
why did opposition to William grow?
resentment of high taxes (due to wars) and fear of corruption
what were the 2 factions in Parl called?
Court and Country
who were the Court faction?
Whig Junto supporters, loyal to Crown
who were the Country faction?
Tories and some disaffected Whigs, believed Court faction to be corrupting politics
how did the Country faction limit William’s power?
- 1697- Country opposition managed to pass law that limited W to sustaining an army of 10,000 through government grants.
- 1698- lowered to 7,000
what law did the Country faction pass 1697?
law that limited William to sustaining an army of 10,000 through gov grants
when was William limited to sustaining an army of 10,000 through gov grants?
1697
when was William limited to sustaining an army of 7,000 through gov grants?
1698
significance of laws limiting William’s standing army?
Parl gaining power over the king, William had become too reliant on the Whigs
since when had taxation been redirected into Parl’s control?
1689
when was the Civil List Act?
1697
what did the Civil List Act do?
formalised Parl’s control of much of nation’s finances
- granted William £700,000 p/a for life as an allowance to pay for expenses of Royal Household, salaries for diplomats + judges etc
- all taxes went to Parl to manage
- Parl controlled military expenditure
how much money was William granted by the Civil List Act?
£700,000 p/a for life
significance of the Civil List Act?
- Parl have more power over king - control much of nation’s finances
- needs frequent review + renewing - another way to ensure regular Parls
Act of Resumption year?
1699
example of William feeling he has to do what Parl wants 1699?
Act of Resumption - gave Royal Assent
when did the Tories make significant gains in elections?
1701
which Whig Junto members did the Tories open impeachment proceedings against? when?
Montagu, Russel and Somers, 1701
when did Tories open impeachment proceedings against Whig Junto members?
1701
what did the attempted impeachment of Whigs by Tories show William?
needed to choose ministers that reflected majority view in HofC, despite theoretical authority to choose own. forced to listen to their views
when did William die?
1702
