WHAT IS CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY?

WHAT IS PATRONAGE?

WHO WERE THE ROCKINGHAM WHIGS?

WHO WERE FOX AND NORTH?

• NORTH: Prime Minister during the American War of Independence, but he resigned because he was heavily criticized after losing the battle.
• Fox: Memeber of Parliament and Rockingham Whigs' heir.

WHY DID GEORGE III DISLIKE FOX AND NORTH?

When they formed the FOX-NORTH COALITION in March 1783, George felt threatened that they were gaining to much power, that he was losing his influence as monarch.

He thought it was unprincipled because they had been former political enemies. 

WHAT WAS THE INDIAN BILL?

HOW DID PITT RAISE SUPPORT?

• Delayed elections so he could prove himself to the Independents
• His government did not contain tainted politicians
• he had command of financial issues
• Genuinely liked, he didn't have to bribe anyone
• Gianed resepct by refusing royal sinecures

HOW DID THE ROYAL SUPPORT HELP PITT?

• George influenced peers into supporting Pitt, and the peers controlled getting MPs elected because they owned the small boroughs
• Bishops favoured the crown
• Pitt was able to use royal patronage to reward supporters

WHAT FACTORS HEPLED PITT WIN THE ELECTION?

1. His skill as an independent politician with a distinguished father, influencing many MPs
2. Dislike in the counrty for the Fox-North coalition
3. Royal support

THE FINANCIAL SITUATION

WHAT WAS THE SINKING FUND?

• Inspired by Sir Robert Waldpole.
• £1 million set aside from taxation, so special commissioners could use that money to buy government shares.
• Prices of shares were often lower than their face value, so they got a bargain.
• 1792, another siniing fund set up alongside old one. Fiananced by a levy on all new loans made to the state.

WAS THE SINKING FUND EFFECTIVE?

• Public debt reduced by £10 million by 1793
• caused confidence amongs British businesses, it stimulated investment
  

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• Only effective for long term debt, short term debt increased
• Only worked during peacetime
• Intrest paid by existing debt was being paid at a lower rate

OTHER WAYS OF RAISING MONEY

• Introduced indirect taxes on large number of items
• Tax ploicies based on the ability to pay
• King's estates more efficiently and profitably managed, increasing revenue
• CONSOLIDATED FUND ACT 1787: EXchequer accounts were merged into one-->revenues collected, outgoing payments made
• Higer pay for officials to reduce corruption

PITT'S FINANCIAL REFORM SUCCESS...

• Reduced expenditure & increases in income =difference between governemnt income and expenditure became a narrow surplus
• Consolidating= national accounting possible
• Financial reforms encouraged :

fairer tax burden (only taking the rich)

reduced bribery

LIMITATIONS WITH PITT'S FINANCIAL REFORMS...

• Only worked during peacetime, war caused large imbalances
• Sinking Fund= ministers used some of the fund for short-term crisis rather than letting it accumulate

PROBLEMS WITH ADMINISTRATION...

• Pitt had inherited a small adminstration
• Leadership within different departments was often poor and the work of adminstration fragmented
• Resources ineffeciently deployed
• Government posts were used as means of rewards 

ADMINSTRATIVE REFORMS...

• Pitt appointed and supported strong adminstrators to take charge of departments
• Abolished sinecures, reduced government spending and rationalise system

ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS SUCCESS...

• Reduced bribery and corruption
• Increased procedures to ensure that revenue collectd
• reduced the number costly and useless posts, increased numbers in key areas such as revenue collection and the navy.
• Standards and morality of public life improved

ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS LIMITATIONS...

REFORM WAS DONE GRADUALLY

• Offices were abolished once the office holders died, Pitt avoided confrontation
• Adminstrative 'system' was sensitive to rationlism, they were not keen on efficiency 
• Reforms rationalised system in intrest of efficiency, this would deprive the monarhy of its political influence in the future

WHY REFORM TRADE POLICIES?

• There were concerns on smuggling 
• Remove trade restrictions so economic activity woud grow
• Stimulate overseas trade= peace between nations because they are trading with each other
• End Britain's isolation by opening trade negotiations with major Europe states

TRADE REFORMS:

EDEN TREATY(1786): manufactured goods from both countries would be allowed in on easier term, and duties on other goods would be lowered

COMMUTATION ACT(1784): reduced import duties on goods(tea,wine,tobacoo and spirits)

 HOVERING ACT(1780): officials search ships 12 miles from port

SUCCESS?

WHY WERE THERE UNREST IN THE 18TH CENTURY?

(I)

POLITICAL UNREST:

• Debates and discussions spreading ideas about liberty, rights and constitutional reform. 
• French Revolution showed a successful overthrow of monarchical authority.
• Meetings, banners and symbols spread radical ideas around the country

WHY WERE THERE UNREST IN THE 18TH CENTURY?

(II)

OPPOSITION TO CORRUPT POLITICAL SYSTEM:

• Resented the corruption of rotten and pocket boroughs
• Widespread dislike on what was known as 'old corruption'.
• Pressed for Parliamentary reform

WHY WERE THERE UNREST IN THE 18TH CENTURY?

(III)

POLITICAL ORGANISATIONS:

• Early radical societies inspired by French Revolution
• They met to discuss political ideas and debate on political reform. Pointed out corruption of the system
• Persuaded Government there was a dangerous attempt to stir up lower-class, but reformers were victims of 'Church & King' mobs

WHY WERE THERE UNREST IN THE 18TH CENTURY?

(IV)

ECONOMIC CONDITIONS:

• Slum areas and economic hardship fuelled mob activity
• Bad harvests => increased prices => economic hardship
• Rising prices + Rising population = Pressure on resources

WHY WERE THERE UNREST IN THE 18TH CENTURY?

(V)

WAR:

• War brought economic distress (disrupt trade, higher taxation)
• French revolutionary triumphs alarmed Gov-> popular discontent
• Discontent= Naval Mutinies (at Spithead and Nore)
• Mutinies showed that the whole Channel Fleet unwilling to obey orders and willingness of naval negotiations showed threat to Gov

WAS THERE ACTUAL THREAT?

• different elemnts did not unite, little inclination to work together
• war encouraged loyalist responses in Britain
• Execution of French moarch shocked rather than inspired British citizens

PITT'S 'REIGN OF TERROR'

INTIMIDATION:(1790-93)magistrates discourage and monitor radical action<->(1793)used spies/informers<->(1793-94) trials become notorious

LEGISLATION:(1794) suspend Habeas Corpus= could arrest anyone<-> (1795) 1.Treasonable & Seditious Meetings Act=broadened law of treason 2.Seditious Meetings Act= banned meetings of more than 50 people<->(1799-1800) Combination Law banned trade unions

PROPAGANDA:campaign to tap into and mobilise conservative sentiment through out Britain

'REIGN OF TERROR' WAS SUCCESSFUL

NO REVOLUTION

• Riots more conservative rather than progressive 'bread & butter'
• Preventing spread of radical ggroups