Theme2-influence of crown

Question 1

what changed in 1780-1837

Answer 1

Overall little change but a big decline in popularity + start to lose influence?
Dunning’s Motion – 1780, criticises Crown influence + spending. Reduction in sinecures (paid offices for service to the Crown).
Catholic emancipation – GIV backs down v Wellington
1832 Reform Act – WIV agrees to Grey’s demands. Sign of weakness and turning point - Reform leads to reduced influence (fewer placements in Commons = fewer influences, wrong to interfere in elections)
Failure of Peel’s 100-day ministry – Peel chose by WIV against Parliament’s wishes, last time a monarch ever chooses PM over Parliament

Question 2

what caused the change in 1780-1837

Answer 2

III keen to maintain the power of monarch – especially to choose PM. Manages this (Pitt) but after the 1780s increasingly incapacitated and power lies with his son – Regent / GIV.
GIV favours Tories and meddles a lot in politics (favours Liverpool and Canning), as opposed to Catholic Emancipation. Huge increase in debt and decline in prestige (unpopular, self-indulgent, dishonest).
WIV –‘silly billy’. Continues high spending/increases debt. Role in 1832. Also, chooses Peel as PM in Jan 1835, against the wishes of Parliament = the last time this ever happens.
Key factors – GIII illness, GIV personality and behaviour, timing of GIV death, 1832 Reform Act, WIV weaknesses.

Question 3

what changed in 1837-71

Answer 3

Overall, retention of some power but increasingly unpopular
Bedchamber Crisis (1839) – Victoria does not want Peel to become PM (wants Melbourne to stay) so refused to honour the tradition of replacing Whig ladies in waiting with Tories. Does not wish to be neutral or be dictated to.
Also involved in the dismissal of Palmerston in 1851 and appointment of Aberdeen in 1852. And other offices e.g. Archbishop of Canterbury
Kept informed – contacts with Cabinet Ministers + others
Also: growth in Republicanism 1869-71- Radical MPs: first Sir Charles Bradlaugh (Radical) – we pay but get nothing then Sir Charles Dilke – suggests abolishing the monarchy in 1871. Growth in Republican Clubs.

Question 4

what caused the changes in 1837-71

Answer 4

Victoria started off less unpopular than her ‘wicked uncles’ (GIV and WIV) but she’s a woman (leads to questions about her ability) who marries a foreigner (Albert was seen as trying to expand his powers, lots of children = high cost and even disliked by aristocrats for not being upper class enough).
Turning point = Albert’s death (1861): she retreats from public life (in Scotland or Isle of Wight), rumours of an affair, suggestions she should abdicate
Growth of Republicanism – at its height:  >60 MPs vote to cut or remove the allowance for Victoria’s children.

Question 5

what changed in 1871-1901

Answer 5

Recovery of popularity and a move towards symbolic, not actual power
1870s Victoria becomes more visible + creates a new image of the monarchy
The swift decline in Republicanism – by 1873 Dilke has apologised and is denying Republicanism.
Disraeli important too –Empress of India (symbolic/imperial power)
Actual power declines – doesn’t want Gladstone as PM but can’t stop him (esp 1880), opposed to reform and foreign policy threatens to dissolve parliament but doesn’t. She did get her choice of PM in 1894 though (Rosebery)

Question 6

what caused the changes 1871-1901

Answer 6

The turning point could be 1872 – Prince of Wales nearly dies and QV survives an assassination attempt.
1874 election important (Disraeli wins – QV likes him)
Creation of image – mother / Empress – 2 jubilees help (as does old age) – monarchy = a national institution to be proud of Lots of symbolism / PR – buildings and monuments (Albert, Buck House and Westminster cathedral renovated), Victoria’s image on souvenirs (photos now exist).
Overall – influence if govt weak or open to it. Otherwise limited.

Question 7

what changes in 1901-1928

Answer 7

No resurrection of actual power
Choosing PM just a rubber stamp (neither EVII or GV attempt to influence)
Increasingly evident that power resides entirely with elected representatives – e.g. Parliament Act crisis 1910-11) – GV pushed into agreeing to extra peerages if need be,
Continued evidence of potential for influence in some circumstances
GV considers using the royal veto in 1914 over Home Rule (unclear how this would have panned out if the war hadn’t intervened)
Still some power in times of party weakness – e.g. Ramsay MacDonald appointment hen 1923 election doesn’t produce a clear winner

Question 8

what caused the changes in 1901-1928

Answer 8

Image of monarchy endures – suggests strength in symbolic power which leaves the potential for some influence
EVII and GV both had faults (a bit like their ancestors at the start of this period) i.e.
EVII – lazy, greedy, always on holiday but loves the ceremonial aspects of the job.
GV not pleasant, not hardworking, not that bright – but manages to be seen as a dedicated, tolerant family man.
Overall – image can be managed and manipulated to retain some position (Christmas messages etc)