Pitt to peel essay question plans
, How did Pitt secure his power in the general election of 1784?
Introduction:
- Background of Pitt: young, became PM at rock bottom of GB politics (after America had just gained
independence)
- Background of British Politics: no parties so stand as independent, power of the monarch, MPs represent
constituencies
- Outline factors as to how Pitt gained power: his abilities, support from King, failures of Fox
- Give Judgement: Pitts abilities allowed him to secure power in the 1784 general election.
Paragraph 1: Pitt’s abilities & ideas
- Natural ability and the events that occurred allowed him to quickly move through parliaments ranks
- Association with economic reform and possibly parliamentary reform
- Faced down the opposition in the House of Commons
- Had a name which resonated positively with the wider public
- Good speaking skills
- Used royal patronage to bring politicians over from the Fox-North coalition with peerage and places
- Proposed disenfranchisement of corrupt parliamentary boroughs and increasing county rep.
- Attacked oppressive taxation and suggested need for more equal representation
- Schoolboy image was an asset
- Won 48 County seats compared to Fox’s 29
Paragraph 2: Support from King
- General public feel sympathy for the king about his prerogatives being taken away and his close
getting stormed (support Pitt because the king does)
- Pitt has royal support in seats where the king has significant influence
- Over 200 addresses and over 200 petitions from across the country support Pitt and the King in
getting the better of the corrupt aristocracy
Paragraph 3: Failures of Fox (and North coalition)
- Background of Fox: womaniser, gambler, drinker, foreign secretary in 1782, aristocratic family
- Fox attracted bad publicity for becoming too friendly with the Prince of Wales (King’s son who he
openly hated)
- Fox appeared irresponsible blocking the militia bill and government tax revenues
- North was discredited in the eyes of the public with ‘old politics’ and corruption
- Fox refused to serve under/with Pitt
- Fox opposed Kings right to choose ministers
- Lure of office caused 50 Northite MPs to desert the coalition
- 100 Foxite and 65 coalition supporters lose seats in 1784 election
Conclusion: Pitt’s ability and policy ideas were most important but the support from the King definitely
helped to get his political career started. Fox’s failures added to Pitts success but were not a major reason.
, What challenges did Pitt face when he became Prime Minister?
Introduction:
- Became PM in 1783 and then won the general election in 1784 to prove legitimacy
- He is a moderate reformer; has to balance demand from radicals and conservatives
- Outline factors: external threats, failure of politics, economic
- Judgement: economic
Paragraph 1: external threats
- William Pitt became PM just after America gained independence
- Rock bottom of GB politics
- Lost colonies = bankrupted country (no trade with US)
- Britain’s prestige/place in diplomacy was questioned
- Louis XVI (France) supported US independence movement (tensions)
- French revolution (1780s) difficult time
Paragraph 2: failure of politics
- Failed to achieve catholic emancipation
- Challenges in Ireland (Act of union 1800 etc..)
- Criticism from Fox and North
- Difficult to command House of Commons (no party structure, no stable groups of supporters)
- King retains great deal of power
Paragraph 3: economic
- Pitt needs to restore trade = finance
- Relations with France and America have made economic situation worse
- Economy running at such a rate that interest on borrowing is low
- 1775: national debt was £127000000 & by 1784: £243000000
- Interest on servicing debt was as high as 6%
Conclusion: Failure of politics is most important challenge faced by Pitt. However, economy plays a big role
and this wouldn’t be such a strain on his ministry without the external threats caused by France and America
, How did Pitt secure his power in the general election of 1784?
Introduction:
- Background of Pitt: young, became PM at rock bottom of GB politics (after America had just gained
independence)
- Background of British Politics: no parties so stand as independent, power of the monarch, MPs represent
constituencies
- Outline factors as to how Pitt gained power: his abilities, support from King, failures of Fox
- Give Judgement: Pitts abilities allowed him to secure power in the 1784 general election.
Paragraph 1: Pitt’s abilities & ideas
- Natural ability and the events that occurred allowed him to quickly move through parliaments ranks
- Association with economic reform and possibly parliamentary reform
- Faced down the opposition in the House of Commons
- Had a name which resonated positively with the wider public
- Good speaking skills
- Used royal patronage to bring politicians over from the Fox-North coalition with peerage and places
- Proposed disenfranchisement of corrupt parliamentary boroughs and increasing county rep.
- Attacked oppressive taxation and suggested need for more equal representation
- Schoolboy image was an asset
- Won 48 County seats compared to Fox’s 29
Paragraph 2: Support from King
- General public feel sympathy for the king about his prerogatives being taken away and his close
getting stormed (support Pitt because the king does)
- Pitt has royal support in seats where the king has significant influence
- Over 200 addresses and over 200 petitions from across the country support Pitt and the King in
getting the better of the corrupt aristocracy
Paragraph 3: Failures of Fox (and North coalition)
- Background of Fox: womaniser, gambler, drinker, foreign secretary in 1782, aristocratic family
- Fox attracted bad publicity for becoming too friendly with the Prince of Wales (King’s son who he
openly hated)
- Fox appeared irresponsible blocking the militia bill and government tax revenues
- North was discredited in the eyes of the public with ‘old politics’ and corruption
- Fox refused to serve under/with Pitt
- Fox opposed Kings right to choose ministers
- Lure of office caused 50 Northite MPs to desert the coalition
- 100 Foxite and 65 coalition supporters lose seats in 1784 election
Conclusion: Pitt’s ability and policy ideas were most important but the support from the King definitely
helped to get his political career started. Fox’s failures added to Pitts success but were not a major reason.
, What challenges did Pitt face when he became Prime Minister?
Introduction:
- Became PM in 1783 and then won the general election in 1784 to prove legitimacy
- He is a moderate reformer; has to balance demand from radicals and conservatives
- Outline factors: external threats, failure of politics, economic
- Judgement: economic
Paragraph 1: external threats
- William Pitt became PM just after America gained independence
- Rock bottom of GB politics
- Lost colonies = bankrupted country (no trade with US)
- Britain’s prestige/place in diplomacy was questioned
- Louis XVI (France) supported US independence movement (tensions)
- French revolution (1780s) difficult time
Paragraph 2: failure of politics
- Failed to achieve catholic emancipation
- Challenges in Ireland (Act of union 1800 etc..)
- Criticism from Fox and North
- Difficult to command House of Commons (no party structure, no stable groups of supporters)
- King retains great deal of power
Paragraph 3: economic
- Pitt needs to restore trade = finance
- Relations with France and America have made economic situation worse
- Economy running at such a rate that interest on borrowing is low
- 1775: national debt was £127000000 & by 1784: £243000000
- Interest on servicing debt was as high as 6%
Conclusion: Failure of politics is most important challenge faced by Pitt. However, economy plays a big role
and this wouldn’t be such a strain on his ministry without the external threats caused by France and America
