The Birth of Political Parties
The succession of Queen Anne, following the reign of William III, marked another significant phase in British political development. During her reign, the Act of Union was passed in 1707, creating the United Kingdom of Great Britain by uniting the kingdoms of Scotland and England.
Definition: Act of Union - The legislative agreement which united the Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England to form the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707.
After Anne's death, her cousin, the Duke of Hanover, became King George I, establishing the Hanoverian dynasty. This period saw the formal emergence of two distinct political parties in Britain: the Whigs and the Tories.
Vocabulary: Whigs - Descendants of parliamentarians, supported by wealthy and commercial classes, advocating for development and tolerance.
Vocabulary: Tories - Descendants of royalists, supported by the Church of England, advocating for the divine right of kings.
The Whig Sir Robert Walpole became the first de facto Prime Minister, holding power for over 20 years. His tenure was marked by efforts to keep England out of foreign conflicts and economic policies that favored trade, such as removing customs duties on the export and import of raw materials.
Example: Walpole's economic policies included taxes on luxury goods like tea, coffee, and chocolate, while promoting free trade in raw materials.
Despite accusations of corruption, Walpole maintained power with the support of King George II. His influence was so significant that he was granted a house in Westminster, symbolizing his political importance.
In 1735, William Pitt, another Whig, became Prime Minister. He implemented a mercantilist policy aimed at strengthening England's economic competitiveness and global standing.
Highlight: Pitt's policies focused on enhancing England's power and prestige on the world stage, setting the foundation for future imperial expansion.
This period saw the emergence of new values based on power and prestige, reflecting Britain's growing global influence and the shift towards a more commercially-oriented society.