The Whig Oligarchy

1714-1760

Common Sense

• No upheaval

• Religion not worth fighting for

• Revolution Settlement just fine

• Central Government not interventionist

Not an age of reform

Mixed Government

• Monarchical, aristocratic, and democratic

George I and George II

Monarchical

• Not figureheads

• Hanoverians

Battle of Dettingen

Queen Caroline

The Cabinet Now

• Government Ministers

• Collective responsibility

• Same political party

• Chief Ministers

18th Century Cabinet

• Privy Council ineffective

• Functional Existence

• King stops attending (1717)

Prime Minister

• Robert Walpole• First PM?

Party System

• Whigs in power

• Septennial Act (1716)

• Kings Preferred Whits

Points to Consider

• Loyal Opposition

• No big issues

Parliament

• House of Lords (peers)

• House of Commons (junior but more important)

• Boroughs

Virtues

• Local liberty

• Major economic groups represented

• Gives (connected) talent an early chance

• Debate could persuade

Public Opinion

• Local Government– counties– parishes– Justices of the Peace

• Rioting