Chapter 18 Section Britain at Mid-Century

Britain builds an Empire Colonial and Commercial Colonial and Commercial Developed a Constitutional Monarchy: A political system somewhere between absolute monarchies of the past and the later democratic governments Developed a Constitutional Monarchy: A political system somewhere between absolute monarchies of the past and the later democratic governments

English Trade Routes

Global Expansion “ Why is England able to become so strong” Geography played a key role because it made it easier for the to trade Geography played a key role because it made it easier for the to trade Successes in war helped their economy Successes in war helped their economy –Slave trade in Spanish America (Brought enormous wealth to England) –Victory in the 7 Years war gave Britain all of French Canada –The British East India Company pushed the French out of India (Great for Trade)

Global Expansion “ Why is England able to become so strong” They offered a more favorable business climate then the other European nations They offered a more favorable business climate then the other European nations –Fewer restrictions on trade Union with Scotland Union with Scotland –The Act of the Union united England and Scotland –Allowed free trade between the countries –Created a larger marked for Farmers and Manufactures

Ireland England controlled Ireland from about the 1100’s England controlled Ireland from about the 1100’s Protestant England tried to subdue Catholic Ireland Protestant England tried to subdue Catholic Ireland The Irish resisted and were defeated The Irish resisted and were defeated

Growth of Constitutional Government 3 new political institutions arose after the Glorious Revolution 3 new political institutions arose after the Glorious Revolution –Political Parties –The Cabinet –The Prime Minister These 3 helped define what is a Constitutional Government: A government that is defined and limited by law These 3 helped define what is a Constitutional Government: A government that is defined and limited by law Not as formal as the US constitution Not as formal as the US constitution Gordon Brown prime minister of England

Political Parties The Tories and the Whigs are the 2 parties that emerge The Tories and the Whigs are the 2 parties that emerge Kind of like our Democrats and Republicans Kind of like our Democrats and Republicans Tories: Conservative, Aristocrats who sought to preserve traditions Tories: Conservative, Aristocrats who sought to preserve traditions

The Tories Conservative Conservative Aristocrats who sought to preserve traditions Aristocrats who sought to preserve traditions Broad Royal power and a dominant Anglican Church Broad Royal power and a dominant Anglican Church

The Whigs Backed more liberal policies Backed more liberal policies More likely to reflect urban business interests More likely to reflect urban business interests Supported religious toleration Supported religious toleration Favored parliament over the crown Favored parliament over the crown For mush of the 1700’s the Whigs dominated Parliament For mush of the 1700’s the Whigs dominated Parliament

Political parties Not like what we know today Not like what we know today More like cliques of rich powerful men More like cliques of rich powerful men Linked by family ties Linked by family ties Pooled votes to advance common interests Pooled votes to advance common interests

The Cabinet System Started because an heir to the throne (George I from Germany) spoke no English Started because an heir to the throne (George I from Germany) spoke no English A handful of parliamentary advisers set policies A handful of parliamentary advisers set policies Called the cabinet because they met in small rooms Called the cabinet because they met in small rooms Made up mostly of leaders from the majority party Made up mostly of leaders from the majority party

The Prime Minister Head of the Cabinet Head of the Cabinet Leader of the Majority Party Leader of the Majority Party Chief official in England Chief official in England

Politics and Society The British government was far from democratic it was more of an Oligarchy: a government in which a ruling power belongs to a few people The British government was far from democratic it was more of an Oligarchy: a government in which a ruling power belongs to a few people The ruling elite controlled the government for some time through many poor tactics The ruling elite controlled the government for some time through many poor tactics

George III reasserts Royal Power Wanted to Wanted to – End Whig domination –Choose his own Prime Minister –Dissolve the Cabinet System –Make the house of commons follow his will Was successful at gaining all he wanted Was successful at gaining all he wanted

George III

Problems for George After the 7 Years war George adopted a new policy After the 7 Years war George adopted a new policy –All British colonies in America must pay for their own defenses –Colonists protests and George passed harsh laws that Americans were forced to obey –Some of these laws led to the American revolution –George will not have strong rule for long