The Early Parties and Politics in Britain, 1688-1832 (British Studies Series, 42)

There has always been a tendency to view British politics before the 1832 reform act as though the parties in parliament were clumsy, embryo versions of the later Conservatives and Liberals - their every act interpreted as being either as further striving towards modernity or a relapse into more primitive patterns of behaviour. This can be helpful to students in disentangling some very complex factional material, but for much of the time the 19th and 20th century party labels simply do not make any sense at all in this earlier period. A good, clear account of what exactly was meant by 'party' and how the different parliamentary groupings evolved from the Restoration to the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars has long been needed, and Brian Hill, who has studied this issue for many years, has at last provided such an account. "In this accessible and original study, Dr Brian Hill describes the lengthy survival of an older political system alongside the rise of the early Tory and Whig parties. This twofold approach brings out those features which undoubtedly gave rise to the present-day party system as well as the differences between the early political scene and that of today."--BOOK JACKET. "An introductory survey describes the nature of Parliament, its constituencies, the electoral system, the voters, the press, and the citizens without a vote who were nevertheless deeply interested in politics. Five further chapters, each with its own shorter introduction, describe successive periods, pre-1715, 1715-45, 1745-70, 1770-1801 and 1801-32. Three substantial appendices give supplementary information on many of the leading political figures, their offices and achievements, on foreign affairs, and on leading governmental developments."--BOOK JACKET. "This wide-ranging survey of the birth of Britain's parliamentary system and parties - which was to influence greatly the later development of parliamentary democracies in America and many other modern states - is based on Brian Hill's research in two fuller studies (covering 1689-1742 and 1742-1832) and on his political biographies of Robert Harley and Sir Robert Walpole, as well as on numerous shorter studies including accounts of Edmund Burke and Lord Grey, the architect of the First Reform Act."--BOOK JACKET In This Accessible And Original Study, Dr. Brian Hill Describes The Lengthy Survival Of An Older Political System Alongside The Rise Of The Early Tory And Whig Parties. This Twofold Approach Brings Out Those Features Which Undoubtedly Gave Rise To The Present-day Party System As Well As The Differences Between The Early Political Scene And That Of Today. An Introductory Survey Describes The Nature Of Parliament, Its Constituencies, The Electoral System, The Voters, The Press, And The Citizens Without A Vote Who Were Nevertheless Deeply Interested In Politics. Five Further Chapters, Each With Its Own Shorter Introduction, Describe Successive Periods, Pre-1715, 1715-45, 1745-70, 1770-1801 And 1801-32. Three Substantial Appendices Give Supplementary Information On Many Of The Leading Political Figures, Their Offices And Achievements, On Foreign Affairs, And On Leading Governmental Developments.--book Jacket. 1. Introduction: The Political Scene -- 2. 1679-1715: Revolution And Religion -- 3. 1715-45: A 'prime' Minister -- 4. 1745-70: Princes And Kings -- 5. 1770-1801: American And French Revolutions -- 6. 1801-32: Radicalism, Ireland And Reform -- Appendix A: Biographical Data On Leading Political Figures -- Appendix B: Major Wars, Treaties And Overseas Events -- Appendix C: Summary Of Political Developments. Brian Hill. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-viii Introduction: The Political Scene....Pages 1-23 1679–1715: Revolution and Religion....Pages 24-57 1715–45: A ‘Prime’ Minister....Pages 58-92 1745–70: Princes and Kings....Pages 93-123 1770–1801: American and French Revolutions....Pages 124-158 1801–32: Radicalism, Ireland and Reform....Pages 159-196 Conclusion....Pages 197-204 Back Matter....Pages 205-246