Pitt the Younger 3.0 / 5 based on 1 rating ? HistoryModern Britain - 19th century onwardsA2/A-levelOCR Created by: lydiaxCreated on: 11-06-17 16:43 Support from George III The King disliked the Whig coalition between Fox and North Surprising because Pitt was only 24, had only been an MP for 4 years/Chancellor for 9 months Pitt was the son of one of the most famous statesmen of the 18th century Pitt had no real popular following or the support of MP's Pitt lacked charm and persusion King wanted an able and loyal PM - unlike Whigs who wanted to dominate him Pitt was young and inexperienced "A kingdom trusted to a schoolboys care." King had confidence in him though people believed he would have a 'mince pie ministry' King was concerned Pitt only had royal backing so urged an election in 1784 Pitt was a good speaker so MP's warmed to him Pitt gained public recognition King created new peers to support Pitt Pitt rewarded supporters with royal patronage 1 of 7 1784 election Election campaign was hard fought Patronage from East India Company - the company disliked Fox's attempts to regulate it and so supported Pitt Influence of royal agents in Parliament support Pitt Pitt attracted those who favoured reform - known for his reform objectives Pitt was careful to keep the King's confidence By 1784, Pitt had support from the Commons, Lords and King which he needed to govern 2 of 7 Finance and Administration reforms Income tax rose sharply from 1783-1800 than at any other time in the 18th century Pitt became first British PM to introduce income tax on all yearly incomes over £60 Majority of wartime expenditure during conflict with France was raised from tax 'Virtuous economics' - Boyd Hilton Many taxes only affected the rich Pitt's policies were not original Trade and economic activity in Britain resulted in more income Sinking fund only worked with long-term debt and in peacetime Standards and morality of public life improved Reforms were done slowly Limits to the desire for change Patronage not abolished until much later 3 of 7 Trade Policies One of the most innovative elements of his administration Recognised that Britain needed to expand its overseas trade Trade deals could build alliances and prevent costly conflicts Overseas trade - crucial importance for Britain Trade was profitable an had earned Britain great fortunes It was deemed that if nations traded without restriction then economic activity would grow Pitt aimed to reduce trade duties with the US and Ireland Pitt wanted commercial treaties with European powers such as Spain, Portugal, France and Russia Most successful trade treaty was with France in 1786 - Britain offered low duties on imports of wines Between 1783 and 1792, the value of British trade to Europe nearly doubled Period of peace between 1783 and 1793 and British products were produced more cheaply 4 of 7 Impact of French Revolution British reactions in the early stages of the Revolution were mixed French King - unpopular with George III, not much sympathy for him Pitt was more concerned with domestic reforms - hoped a new French gov't might co-operate with Britain over trade Opinion among the British political elite hardened against the French Revolution Those organisations sympathetic to events in France began organising themselves The Society of the Friends of the People - 1792, set up by Whig politicians who favoured reform Reform organisations spread to many towns though there was much division and many had different aims More property owners favoured Pitt over Fox British politics had become extremely divided 5 of 7 Radical threat & Pitt's response In the 18th century there was popular unrest and armed threats London - mob activity and rioting There was opposition to a corrupt, unreformed political system Political organisations were growing Economic conditions caused unrest There was support of revolution by political elite The royal family was unpopular Landed gentlemen pressured for the reform of parliament Whig reformers (Fox and Sheridan) wanted to increase influence of the people/reduce influence of the King Pitt favoured some reform of parliament Early radicals inspired by events of French Revolution Organisations led by educated middle-class aristocrats London Corresponding Society campaigned for: restoration of common land, shorter factory hours, lower tax, better healthcare and education Naval mutinies at Nottingham and Spithead No united group so gov't repressive measures could weaken them more easily The government did not have a professional police force to enforce its powers Radicalism was much stronger during economic hardship rather than in peacetime 6 of 7 Whig Opposition Whig opposition was divided French Revolution divided the Whigs even more Whig aristocrats became more worried as the revolution became more radical Fox had a bad reputation The French Revolution revealed the gaps between the Whigs (particularly Fox and the aristocrats) 7 of 7
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