A set of Pitt to Peel essay plans spanning the whole of the first half of the course, not including topics or plans for the source questions. Essay plans focus on William Pitt the Younger, the radical threat, Foreign Policy and the Great Reform Act.
, 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
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