Parliament and Foreign Policy in the Eighteenth Century

Drawing on a wide range of British and foreign archival sources, this book tackles the role of Parliament in the conduct of eighteenth-century foreign policy, the impact of this policy on parliamentary politics, and the quality of parliamentary debates. It is also an important study for our assessment of eighteenth-century Britain, and also, more generally, for an understanding of the role of contingency in the assessment of political systems. Reflecting over a quarter-century of work on parliamentary sources, the book highlights the influence of Parliament, positive and negative, direct and indirect, on foreign policy and politics. It also has great contemporary relevance as we consider the effectiveness of democratic states when confronting authoritarian rivals, and the rights of representative bodies to be consulted before wars are launched. Drawing On A Wide Range Of British And Foreign Archival Sources, This Book Tackles The Role Of Parliament In The Conduct Of Eighteenth-century Foreign Policy, The Impact Of This Policy On Parliamentary Politics, And The Quality Of Parliamentary Debates. The Study Is Important For Our Assessment Of Eighteenth-century Britain, And Also, More Generally, For An Understanding Of The Role Of Contingency In The Assessment Of Political Systems.--jacket. Introduction -- The Revolution Settlement, Parliament And Foreign Policy, 1689-1714 -- The Walpolean System, Parliament And Foreign Policy, 1714-42 -- The Mid-century Crisis, Parliament And Foreign Policy, 1742-60 -- George Iii, Parliament And Foreign Policy, 1760-1800 -- Sources And Reports -- Character And Quality Of Parliamentary Discussion -- A Parliamentary Foreign Policy? -- Conclusions. By Jeremy Black. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 247-255) And Index. Half-title......Page 2 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Dedication......Page 6 Contents......Page 8 Preface......Page 10 Notes on dates, spelling and titles......Page 12 Abbreviations......Page 13 1 Introduction......Page 16 2 The Revolution Settlement, Parliament and foreign policy, 1689–1714......Page 28 3 The Walpolean system, Parliament and foreign policy, 1714–42......Page 55 4 The mid-century crisis, Parliament and foreign policy, 1742–60......Page 93 5 George III, Parliament and foreign policy, 1760–1800......Page 114 6 Sources and reports......Page 152 7 Character and quality of parliamentary discussion......Page 179 8 A parliamentary foreign policy?......Page 215 9 Conclusions......Page 248 PRINTED SOURCES......Page 262 SECONDARY SOURCES......Page 263 Index......Page 271 This book tackles the role of Parliament in the conduct of eighteenth-century foreign policy, the impact of this policy on parliamentary politics, and the quality of parliamentary debates. Drawing on a wide range of British and foreign archival sources, it is an important study for assessing eighteenth-century Britain and for understanding the role of contingency in the evaluation of political systems. Reflecting over a quarter-century of work on parliamentary sources, it highlights as well the influence of Parliament on foreign policy and politics. This is a scholarly study of the British Parliament and its role in foreign policy during the eighteenth century, and the quality and impact of contemporary parliamentary debates. It also provides a major reassessment of the public debate over foreign policy Drawing on British and foreign archival sources, this book tackles the role of Parliament in the conduct of 18th-century foreign policy, the impact of this policy on parliamentary politics, and the quality of parliamentary debates