Dr Tomasz Skirecki, IFA, UAM
History of Britain and the USA  1 BA, 2011-12
LECTURE TWELVE
Georgians Part II
The House of Hanover (1714-1837)
General characteristics:
" the greatest Empire in the world - series of conflicts building up the British Empire
in North America, India, Australia
" loss of North American colonies - 1783
" agricultural revolution
" the first truly capitalist and industrial country - industrial revolution instead of
social and political revolutions
" growing urbanization
" the first true constitutional monarchy - kings become less important than ministers.
Reign of George I (1714-1727)
Never learnt English, preferred Hanover to England.
The reign begins with the Jacobite Rebellion of Fifteen (1715) with the aim to restore the
Old Pretender. Fails in Scotland at Sheriffmuir and in England at Preston.
1721 - the office of PRIME MINISTER and CABINET established - Sir Robert Walpole.
Further development of the two-party system. The Whigs dominate 18th century politics 
with the exception of the Tory premiership of Lord North (1770-1782)
Famous leaders: Charles James Fox  Whig, William Pitt the Younger - Tory
Reign of George II (1727-1760)
Scotland - The Jacobite Rebellion of Forty-Five (1745-46)
Charles Edward Stuart - the Young Pretender - Bonnie Prince Charlie
Battle of Culloden (1746) - complete defeat of the Jacobites - the last battle ever fought in
Britain - the definite end of the Stuart claim.
The Seven Years' War (1756-63)
William Pitt the Elder - excellent PM and great war leader - opposed to Britain's
involvement in European conflict but favoring conflicts in India and North America.
The war is fought in Europe but Britain and France struggle in:
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Dr Tomasz Skirecki, IFA, UAM
History of Britain and the USA  1 BA, 2011-12
LECTURE TWELVE
Georgians Part II
INDIA - becomes the jewel in the crown - the beginning of THE RAJ - British rule in India
NORTH AMERICA - the Battle of Quebec (1759) - end of French power in America.
1763 the Treaty of Paris
" Britain gets: Canada, Florida, Tobago, Grenada, Dominica, Senegal and India.
" Britain becomes the leading colonial power - TRADE determines British wealth
Reign of George III (1760-1820) Farmer George
Best remembered for:
a. loss of American colonies
b. madness (1811-1820) and Regency of Prince of Wales - George IV
Important figure: William Pitt the Younger
" government control of East India Company.
" financial and parliamentary reforms - introduction of the income tax.
Captain JAMES COOK
1. 1770 visiting New Zealand and Great Barrier Reef
2. 1771 - claiming Australia and naming it New South Wales
3. Crossing the Antarctic circle and sailing around Antarctica
4. Discovery of Christmas Island and the Hawaii - 1780.
1801 - the Act of Union with Ireland
England, Scotland and Ireland form the
UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND
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