The Younger Pitt

by Michael Duffy

Overview

The Younger Pitt was a phenomenon: dead at 46, he was not only Britain's youngest but also the second longest-serving Prime Minister to date, acting as premier for 19 of his 25 years in Parliament. In examining this astonishing career, this incisive Profile focuses on the means by which Pitt gained and maintained his hold on power. It provides new information on Pitt's relations with the strong-willed George III; on the nature of his ascendancy over his cabinet colleagues; his management of Parliament; his skill as a manipulator of public opinion; his role in Britain's international resurgence after the loss of America; and, of course, on the long struggle against Revolutionary and Napoleonic France.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138407985
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	12/18/2020
Series:	Profiles In Power
Pages:	262
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

List of abbreviations — Chronology — INTRODUCTION — CHAPTER 1 'Superior even to Charles Fox': The short path to power — Great Chatham's son — Shelburne's Chancellor of the Exchequer — Thurlow and Temple's co-conspirator — The King's Minister — CHAPTER 2 'Awkward I am certain in a certain quarter': Pitt and the King — The alliance of opposites — Management of foreign policy — Patronage and politics — The personal affairs of the Royal Family — CHAPTER 3 'Really master now': Pitt as Prime Minister — Leading Minister in a coalition Cabinet — The escape from Cabinet constraints — Securing the Premiership: Pitt versus Thurlow — Coalition and containment of the Portland Whigs — The zenith of Pitt's Prime Ministerial system — CHAPTER 4 'The ambition of my life': Pitt and the business of government — The governing passion — Guiding the national recovery — Apostate reformer or compulsive improver? — Personal limitations as a 'man of business' — The changing pace of improvement — CHAPTER 5 'The theatre of future fame': Pitt and the House of Commons — 'I want to speak in the House of Commons' — Learning the arts of parliamentary management — Old and new in the Pitt management style — Control of the committee system as the key to business — Toss and throw him as you will, he always lights upon his feet' — CHAPTER 6 'The impression and effect of numbers on our side': Pitt and the people — The appeal to 'the public at large' — Parameters of Pitt's popularism — Invoking public involvement in politics — Making a stand upon right ground — The balance of law and liberty — Mobilising loyalism — Knowing 'the people of England' — CHAPTER 7 'To diminish the temptation to wars of ambition': Pitt and the powers of Europe — Too inexperienced to meddle much in foreign affairs — Pitt's Grand Design — Origins and outbreak of the Great War with France — Pitt as a War Minister — The quest for a winning Grand Alliance — CHAPTER 8 'Enough to kill a man': The erosion of power — 'The doubt of being equal to all I want to do' — The Catholic Question and the fall of the Ministry — Pitt out of Office - the pursuit of 'character' — The flawed victory of 1804 — 'Too late for anything': the tragedy of 1805 — Further reading — Index.

Editorial Reviews

William Pitt (1759-1806) was not only Britain's youngest Prime Minister, but also the second-longest serving, being premier for 19 of his 25 years in Parliament until his early death. Duffy (history, U. of Exeter) focuses on the means by which he gained and maintained his hold on power, particularly his relations with George III, his ascendance over cabinet colleagues, his methods for controlling Parliament, and his skill as a manipulator of public opinion. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

"an excellent essay"English Historical Review "a fresh analysis...enviably lucidly written"History

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