24 - Government under William III and Mary

What was one of the key determinant in driving the significant political change that came about during William and Mary's reign?

The European war

What style of government did william have?

An autocratic style of government

What was William's government shaped by?

His chief priority was the european conflict against Louis XIV, and his approach to government and parliament was shaped by making both enable him to defeat his French foe.

What type of government did William accept as a result of his priority of conflict?

He accepted a cabinet government, which was a small group of chosen ministers who would provide advice and direction for the crown: this was seen as the most efficient way for a coordinated administration of the war effort.

What did William's focus on the european war lead to tension over? (3)

Led to tension over his suspension of habeas corpus

his use of the royal veto

his attempt to retain a standing army in peacetime after the 1697 treaty of Ryswick, as he appeared to threaten the liberties of parliament and people.

What did the cabinet government provide?(2)

- The close coordination of military, diplomatic and financial policies that was needed to enable William to fight the European war

- Mary with advice from an inner group of government officials and privy councillors while William was absent on numerous war campaigns abroad

What was the consequence of the rise of the cabinet?

Decline in the importance of the court as a political forum

Which secret advisers did william III favour?

Bentinck, Duke of Portland, or invidiual tories such as Nottingham and Danby, gave way to cabinet memembers who gave william a more diverse range of opinions.

How often did Parliament meet when william III and Mary became joint monarchs?

Parliament met every year from 1689

Why is it significant that Parliament met every year under William and Mary?

Because prior to 1689, parliament was called and dissolved whenevr the monarch chose to do so, and it wasn't a well-structured institution.

Why did Parliament increase in importance?

- Its ability to finance the crown, a reflection of William's great need for parliamentary funds for european war.

In relation to finance, how did parliament increase in power after glorious revolution?

The principle of 'appropriation' was established; that is, parliament specified a purpose for their grants of money.

This meant parliament controls not just how much money the monarch gets, but also what it must be spent on.

As part of some revenue bills, parliament added clauses to address what were regarded as constitutional issues.

What is the key example of parliament being able to use its financial power?

William's acceptance of the 1694 Triennal act, which said that parliament would meet annually and hold general elections once every three years.

It thus prevented monarchs from ruling without parliament.

What was the duration of William's first parliament?

1690-95

What act was introduced at the start of William's first parliament?

At the start of the newly elected parliament under William, the Act of Grace was passed to pardon the majority for their activities before the glorious revolution of 16888, since their actions had brought william to power.

When was the act of grace?

May 1690

What was the act introduced after the Act of Grace?

An act established a commission of public accounts.

Members of this commission were chosen by parliament, and their remit was to review state finances.

Over time this comission became a powerful political instrument.

When was the act establishing a comission of public accounts introduced?

December 1690

What was the Comission of public accounts' first report and what did it state?

The comission's first report attacked the government for wasting money and recommended cuts in the army and navy for the following year.

What did parliament use the commission of public accounts for?

From this commission, parliament began to regularly scrutinise how the government spent money, particularly in relation to the European war.

Therefore, this act successfully limited the power of the crown.

What was the other notable feature of the first two parliamentary sessions ?

The other notable feature of the first two parliamentary sessions between 1690 and 1691 was that a grant of £4,600,000 was approved.

Why was this grant of £4,600,000 approved?

This grant was partly due to nottingham and Danby's successful management of MPs.

Also due to fears of a more apparent european threat from Louis XIV and James II that needed a defeating, as seen by the Battle of the Boyne.

When were the third and fourth sesions of William's first parliament?

Between October 1941 and March 1693

What bills were introduced during the third and fourth sessions of William's first parliament?

Whigs and Tories joined together to propose the treason trial Bill and the Judges Bill, both aiming to limit the monarch's prerogative in legal matters.

This joining of Whigs and Tories was part of the development of the 'country; position.

Whigs and Tories also tried to introduce the Place Bill to exclude MPs as office holders

Tried to introduce a Triennal Bill

What happened to the treason trial bill and the judges bill?

The lords defeated the treason trial bill, and William vetoed the Judges bill.

Did the Place Bill and Triennal Bill succeed?

Both failed.

In particular, william vetoed the triennial bill at the very end of fourth session.

What did Parliament vote for in relation to the war during the foruth session?

Parliament voted more than £4 million for the war by a proposed land tax during the fourth session, there was criticism of the cost and conduct of the war that ultimately led to the argument for a 'blue-water' strategy.

What was the 'blue-water' strategy?

This strategy was a cheaper, naval-based campaign, another example of a 'country' position.

In response to the parliamentary developments, what did William do?

Looked to appointed new ministers to aid him in his chief aim to fight against Louis XIV.

Who re-emerged as a response to the development of the 'country' position?

Earl of Sunderland as one of William's advisers.

What was Sunderland's advice to William?

Following the reintrdouced of the triennial, treason trial and place bills that William had vetoed in January 1694, the king countered the influence of the 'country; politicians by acting on Sunderland's advice to appoint what became known as the Junto Whigs.

Who were the key men who were at the herat of cabinet government + their roles?

- Shrewsbury, secretary of state

- Edward russel, admiral

- Montagu, chancellor of the exchequer

- Four key whig earls were also promoted to duke:

Shrewsbury

Devonshire

Bedford

newcastle

What was Danby position under William III?

He was made Duke of Leeds