Reasons for Pitt Domination

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  • Reasons for Pitt Domination
    • Division of Whig opponents
      • Charles James Fox was the main opposition, yet the support of the monarch assisted Pitt in his victory over the Whigs in 1784
      • Whigs Lost a great deal of support and sympathy from the voters
      • Weakness of party was shown as lack of unity and differing opinions over French Revolution
      • Point 1
    • Support of the Monarch
      • Soon became the favourite of the Monarch
      • Possessed excellent abilities in terms of finance and administration
      • Stated his views to the king, showing that he was vastly different to the Fox-North coaltion
      • Point 2
    • Pitt's domination in domestic policy:
      • His Election victory of 1784 placed him on the for ambitious reforming programme
        • Indirect   taxation on luxuries
          • Pitt realised that the best solution of raising new revenue would be through indirect taxes on the rich
            • taxing the luxuries of the upper class such as horses, wigs, hair powder and windows
              • His taxation policy was generally successful in terms of increasing revenue reaching the Treasury.
                • However, his legislation was largely unpopular with the public, especially his window tax which he imediately removed
        • Eden Treaty 1786
          • Signed with France, the treaty gave citizens of Britain and France free access to each others countries
            • as well as reducing the number of tariffs on select items
              • British manufacturers were grateful to Pitts government in finding new areas for their products
                • The outbreak of war in 1793 proved the treatys undoing.
                  • (K/D)
      • Defeat over American war of independence created a huge financial crisis which needed to be takled
        • Commutation Act 1784
          • Designed to lower the import duty on Tea to reduce the amount of smuggling into the UK. Created more revenue for the Government
            • During the years 1785-1787, duties on such items as brandy were reduced.
              • This lead to to an increase in the value of food and raw material imports, exactly what Pitt wanted.
        • Hovering Act 1784
          • Allowed smugglers vessels to be searched up to 12 miles out to sea increasing trade security and reducing the chances of smuggling.
      • Pitt also endeavoured on Reform to make parliament more efficient
        • Sinking Fund 1786
          • Simply a means of reducing government debt by accumilating money
            • Comissioners were appointed to maintain the policy and to regulate its use in terms of government expenditure
              • In peace-time it was successful and by 1793, the national debt had been reduced by around £10m
              • However, the outbreak of the war with France in 1793 raised the national debt and the Sinking fund became obsolete.
                • K/D
      • Point 3

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