BRITIAN AT MID-CENTURY BELL WORK #3 If someone works they may be tired from a job and found it hard to pay attention in class

GLOBAL EXPANSION Why did Britain, a small island kingdom on the edge of Europe, rise to global prominence in the 1700s? Geography- England’s location made it well placed to control trade during the Renaissance. They planted outposts in the West Indies, North America, and India. From these tiny settlements, England would eventually build a global empire. Success in War- In the 1700s, Britain was generally on the winning side in European conflicts. Each victory brought valuable rewards. By the Treaty of Utrecht, France gave Britain Nova Scotia and Newfoundland in North America The Slave trade brought enormous wealth to British merchants, who invested their profits in other ventures.

UNION WITH SCOTLAND At home, England grew y merging with neighboring Scotland. In 1707, the Act of Union united the two countries in the United Kingdom of Great Britain. The union brought economic advantages to both lands. It allowed trade to pass freely between England and Scotland, creating a larger market for farmers and manufacturers. Eventually, they made it more acceptable. The United Kingdom also included Wale England had controlled Ireland since the 1100s.

GROWTH OF CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT Political parties, the cabinet, and the office of prime minister. The appearance of these institutions was part of the evolution of England’s constitutional government that is a government whose power is defined and limited by law.

Political Parties Two political parties emerged in England in the late 1600s, Tories and Whigs. The conservative Tories were generally landed aristocrats who sought to preserve older traditions. Whigs backed more liberal policies. They were more likely to reflect urban business interests, support religious toleration for Protestants, and favor Parliament over the crown. For much of the 1700s, the Whigs dominated Parliament. These early political parties were unlike the party organizations that we know today. They represented cliques among the rich, powerful men who served as members of parliament. The modern political party, representing groups of voters and with a distinct platform, did not appear until the 1800s.

The Cabinet System The cabinet was another new feature of government. In 1714, the British throne passed by hereditary right to a German Protestant prince. George I spoke no English and relied on the leaders in Parliament to help him rule. They were called the cabinet because they met in a small room or “cabinet.” It was made up of leaders of the majority party in the House of Commons. It remained in power so long as it enjoyed the support of the Commons. If the commons voted against a cabinet decision, the cabinet resigned.

The Prime Minister Heading the cabinet was the Prime Minister. He was the leader of the majority party in Parliament and in time the chief official of the British government. Robert Walpole a Whig leader molded the cabinet into a unified body, requiring all members to agree on major issues. Walpole is often called Britain’s first prime minister.

George III Reasserts Royal Power In 1760, George III embarked on a 60-year reign. Unlike his father and grandfather, the new king was born in England. He spoke English and loved Britain. But George was eager to recover the powers the crown had lost. He then set out to reassert royal power. He wanted to end Whig domination, choose his own ministers, dissolve the cabinet system, and make the House of Commons follow his will.

Personal Rule Gradually, George found seats in Parliament for “the king’s friends.” Then, with their help, he set out to regain control of the government. North America must pay the costs of their won defense. When colonists protested, Parliament passed harsh measures to force them to obey. In 1775, these and other conflicts triggered the American Revolution and disaster for Britain. Cabinet Rule Restored- Britain’s loss of its American colonies discredited the king. Increasingly. In the crisis of leadership that followed, cabinet rule was restored in 1788.