George III of the United Kingdom

George III (George William Frederick) (4 June 1738 – 29 January 1820)

Constitutional struggle

Several changes were made to the structure of the British government after the loss of the colonies. Since 1660, there had been two chief cabinet officials, known as the Secretary of State for the Southern Department and the Secretary of State for the Northern Department. The former was responsible for Southern England, Ireland, and relations with non-Protestant European nations, and the latter for Northern England, Scotland, and relations with Protestant European nations. The Secretary of State for the Southern Department was formerly responsible for the colonies, but this responsibility was transferred to the Secretary of State for the Colonies in 1768. All three positions were abolished after the British lost in North America. They were replaced with two new positions, those of Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Secretary of State for the Home Department.

Related Topics:
1660 - Secretary of State for the Southern Department - Secretary of State for the Northern Department - Secretary of State for the Colonies - Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs - Secretary of State for the Home Department

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In 1782, after twelve years in office, the ministry of Lord North ended. The Whig Lord Rockingham became Prime Minister for the second time, but died within months. The King then chose William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne to replace him. Charles James Fox, however, refused to serve under Lord Shelburne, and demanded the appointment of William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland. In 1783, the House of Commons forced Lord Shelburne from office and was replaced by the Fox-North Coalition. The Duke of Portland became Prime Minister; Fox and Lord North, who held the offices of Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Secretary of State for the Home Department, respectively, were the individuals who truly held power, with the Duke of Portland acting as a figurehead.

Related Topics:
William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne - Charles James Fox - William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland - 1783 - Fox-North Coalition

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George III was distressed by the attempts to force him to appoint ministers not of his liking. But the Portland ministry quickly built up a majority in the House of Commons, and could not be easily displaced. He was, however, extremely dissatisfied when the government introduced the India Bill. Immediately after the House of Commons passed it, George informed the House of Lords that he would regard any peer who voted for the bill as his enemy. On 17 December 1783, the bill was rejected by the Lords; on the next day, the Portland ministry was dismissed, and William Pitt the Younger was appointed Prime Minister. George III dissolved Parliament in March 1784; the subsequent elections gave Pitt a firm mandate.

Related Topics:
17 December - 1783 - William Pitt the Younger - March - 1784

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