The British Political System

Question 1

What is patronage?

Answer 1

Patronage means the right to give privileges or make appointments.

Question 2

What system of government did Britain have in 1783?

Answer 2

A constitutional monarchy

Question 3

Who was Britain’s monarch in 1783?

Answer 3

King George 111

Question 4

What role did George 111 play want to play in the political life in Britain?

Answer 4

He wished to be seen as a conscientious monarch and play an active role in political life. He accepted his limits as constitutional monarch but he used his powers of patronage to influence Parliament on issues about which he felt strongly.

Question 5

What did the Bill of Rights aim to do?

Answer 5

It aimed to prevent any future monarch interfering with the law and restricted the powers of monarchy.

Question 6

Who made the laws?

Answer 6

It was Parliament that made the laws, took decisions on taxation and spending and debated issues of national and local importance.

Question 7

What rights did the monarch have?

Answer 7

He still influenced general policy and as head of state, retained power to choose and dismiss his ministers. The monarch also retained the right to summon and dissolve Parliament, but could not rule without it.

Question 8

What happened if the Parliament was dissolved?

Answer 8

A general election had to be called immediately.

Question 9

Could the monarch veto legislation?

Answer 9

Yes, although it was unlikely to do so if it jeopardise his income.

Question 10

Why was the monarch financially dependant on Parliament?

Answer 10

Because Parliament would only grant funds to the monarch on an annual basis, through the civil list.

Question 11

What did Parliament comprise of?

Answer 11

Parliament comprised of the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

Question 12

What were the Lords made up of?

Answer 12

They were made up of unelected hereditary peers, the ruling elite.

Question 13

How great was the political powers that the House of Lords had?

Answer 13

They had great political power, including the power to block measures passed by the Commons.

Question 14

Who were the House of Commons?

Answer 14

The House of Commons was an elected assembly, although not democratic, as few men had the right to vote.

Question 15

What did many MP’s regard their seat in Parliament?

Answer 15

An opportunity for advantage and advancement.

Question 16

What did the system allow?

Answer 16

The system allowed the House of Lords to maintain influence in the Commons.

Question 17

What did the commons control?

Answer 17

The commons controlled taxation and its main duty was to act as a check on the ministers.

Question 18

Did the PM had to have the support of the majority of the Commons to carry on government?

Answer 18

Yes

Question 19

What was happening by the late eighteenth century regarding political power?

Answer 19

Although much political power within Parliament rested with the Lords, by the late eighteenth century, the influence of the House of Commons was increasing.

Question 20

What was the Privy Council and what did they do?

Answer 20

The monarch had a group of advisers, which acted as a a bridge between the King and Parliament on policy decisions.

Question 21

Was it important that the monarch chose someone he trusted as his chief representative in Parliament?

Answer 21

Yes

Question 22

Where did most of George’s 111 appointed ministers from?

Answer 22

They were peers of the realm and sat in the in the House of Lords.

Question 23

Why was George’s 111 position weakened in 1782?

Answer 23

It was weakened over the crisis of the loss of the American colonies.

Question 24

What was King George 111 forced to do by Parliament in 1782?

Answer 24

He was forced to accept the resignation of his Prime Minister Lord North and accept in his place Lord Rockingham, whom he detested.

Question 25

Could it have been argued that during George 111 reign he tried to restore a more politically active monarchy?

Answer 25

Yes

Question 26

Who was King George 111 eager to secure the position of as his choice of Prime Minister?

Answer 26

24 year old William Pitt in the commons.

Question 27

What did George 111 undermined when he forced a general election?

Answer 27

He undermined the existing coalition of Charles Fox and Lord North

Question 28

Why was the British political system in the late eighteenth century in need of reform?

Answer 28

It was dominated by the wealthy and influential landowners and aristocrats, who saw little necessity for any change in the existing system. They were n Parliament to look after their own interests to seek political advancements and to benefit from the system of patronage.
Only a small number of men could vote and the population was extremely underrepresented.

Question 29

What two attempts by William Pitt in 1792 and 1795 were defeated by the Commons?

Answer 29

Attempts to reform Parliament and redistribute seats to the expanding industrial towns.

Question 30

How many men in 1783 could vote?

Answer 30

250,000 men (the population was rising to about 9.4 million)

Question 31

Was there a uniform system of franchise (the right to vote)

Answer 31

No

Question 32

How were county MP’s elected?

Answer 32

County MP’s were elected by men who held