Breadth 2: The decline of the Monarchy

George III: proof of power? 1760-1820

• Used sinecures and pensions to keep Lord North and others in Gov/ favour (appointed 1770- had HofC support) patronage network increased significantly under G and N (by 1800 not possible due to Pitt)

• Broke status quo- keen to play active role in Gov → 1760s political instability (ignored plm by appointing ministers who couldn’t claim support in HofC

• Forced Pitt the younger to resign 1801

• Attractive to public (married, had lots of children) has power and abuses it)

George III: limited power

• 1770s AWI growing opp towards taxes being used to fund war (lost US colonies 1782, surrendered British forces) → public believed taxes could be reduced by reducing power of crown

• 1779-80 petitioning movement demanding a reduction in no. posts at Crowns disposal (1779 Yorkshire Association in reliable to war (Christopher Wyvill) other counties followed)

• Burke opposed the Crown (pointless paid positions) Created a reform plan to end royal patronage (x secure passage but put reform on agenda)

• Burke- paymaster of armed forces limited own salary and put funds into Bank of England; supported passage of Civil Service Act 1782 (abolished 130+ sinecures saving £70,000 per year)

• Unable to keep people in office by 1800 (mental illness, lack of trust)

William IV: proof of power (1830-37)

Feared Whig proposals for reforms to Irish Church → dismissed Lord Melbourne → invited Peel to form Gov (conservatives only 17 seats to William dissolved parliament → Jan election)

William IV: limited power 1830-1837

• 1832 Reform Act - pressurised into agreeing to appoint more Whig peers May 1832 (never before)

• Economic reform weakened Crowns influence of HofC

• Post Reform Act gave electorate à clear choice between whigs and conservatives (had to rely on majority not patronage to maintain Gov) public opinion and party politics = important crowns influence over composition of Gov significantly reduced

• 1837 Crown had large debts - poor rep

Queen Victoria: proof of power (1837-1901)

• Bedchamber Crisis 1839 - Peel appointed new PM after Melbournes defeat in HofC, yet Tories x have majority in plm. Peel needed to exert influence over Vic + Whigs by appointing new allies into her staff. Vic refused to change bedchamber staff and Melbourne returned as PM

Queen Victoria: limited power (1837-1901)

• Relied heavily on Whig PM lord Melbourbe when she came to throne in 1837 at 18

• Rest of reign x act against wishes of PM (unable to) Elections produced majorities and Vic had no choice but to appoint leader of majority as PM

• Recieved (meaningless) title of Empress of India 1877 from Disraeli (conservative PM)

• Never openly expressed her personal views on different parties/ leaders

Edward VII: proof of power 1901-1910

• Good public image, ceremonies etc

• Revived State opening of parliament

• Dignified, glorious figurehead

Edward VII: limited power 1901-1910

• Subject to lots of scandal - described as “corpulent voluptuary of no importance”

• Disliked hard work

• Monarchy of his period had little to do with actual humans - just image

• More focus on popularity than power, little say in politics

George V: proof of power (1910-1835)

-Portrayed as perfect family man, figure of tolerance and inspired common sense (Monarchical propaganda) → Christmas broadcasts and newsreels conveyed spectacle of royals more than ever before

George V: limited power 1910-1935

• Followed advice given to him in 1910-11 during constitutional crisis despite personal reservations (Asquith presented 250 candidates- threat alone was enough for Lords to pass the bill by 131 to 114 -peers not created)

• Privately opposed the Irish Home Rule Bill but still passed it in 1914 even though he had official power to reject it

• Appointed Ramsay MacDonald (Labour!) in 1924 as per convention that leader of next biggest party become PM after Gov collapse (praised for tactful and helpful attitude towards new Labour cabinet members)

What were the key turning points that caused a decline in influence for Monarchs?

• The American War (1775)

• Burke’s influence

• Pitts Actions

• 1832 Reform Act - William IV and Melbournes Gov 1834-35

• Victoria and the Bedchamber crisis

• Victorias reign

• House of Lords crisis (Parliament Act 1911)

• Home rule debate (1914)

• George V and Labour Party