Were Pitt's reforms a success?

Question 1

Finance explanation

Answer 1

• 1786- finance fund - putting £1m of revenue away a year to pay off debt- by 1793 had paid £10m of national debt
• reduces duties on brandy which increases imports and worth of food and raw materials
• Commutation Act (1784) lowered import duty on tea, leading to less smuggling
• Hovering Act (1784) allowed search of ships twelve miles from coast
• raised taxes on rich such as horses, wigs and hair powder also windows

Question 2

Trade explanation

Answer 2

• Consolidation Act (1784) lowers the custom duties on imports and exports
• Free Trade Treaty (1786) with France- Eden treaty
• no trade treaty with Ireland
• loss of American colonies impacts on trade which highlights need for more trade with Europe and remaining American colonies (Caribbean/Canada)

Question 3

Administration explanation

Answer 3

• abolishes a lot of sinecure offices
• clamps down on post
• audit office to oversee expenditure

Question 4

Finance success or failure?

Answer 4

• sinking fund- a success because it reduced the debt
• all of 2-4 try to improve financial and economic situation but are also successful at reducing smuggling
• taxes are successful because the burden is put on the wealthy
• overall Pitt was successful with his financial reforms because it enabled the improvement of the British economy without sacrificing the welfare of the poorest earners

Question 5

Trade success or failure?

Answer 5

• changes made were more sufficient as high taxes for tea were reduced
• in long term the reforms were effective to allow more legitimate trade to take place and increase economic activity in Britain
• meant smuggling was no longer profitable
  -attempts are made to fill in the gaps left by America, but not entirely

Question 6

Administration success or failure?

Answer 6

• result of measures created far more efficient administration
• brought order into government business
• cut unnecessary expenditure