Whigs and Tories Flashcards
What are the terms ‘whig’ and ‘tory’?
Originally names of abuse attached to the two main groups of political opponents during the reign of Charles II
What did the whigs and tories. do during the exclusion crisis?
Tried to prevent Charles’ brother, James Duke of York, succeeding to the throne because he was Catholic. The tories supported his claim and the right of Stuart monarchs to the throne, without success
What caused the Tories to lose their political influence?
The ascension of Protestant William of Orange to the throne. This meant that for most the 18th century, the great Whig Protestant families monopolised political power. While the Tories continued to suffer from their association with their failed attempts to restore the Stuart monarchy
Define factions
Small groups of politicians who disagreed with others
Define status quo
the situation as it is; the existing condition
Define dissenters
Protestants who broke away from the established Anglican church and adopted their own practises
Define radicals
Politicians who argue for political and social change
Define oligarchy
A government of a small, elite group, in this context, the ruling Whig families dominated the political scene in the 18th century
What had happened to the two parties by 1783?
The connection with the 18th century Tories and Whigs had almost disappeared
What did the two parties have in common?
- Members from both parties came from the landed classes and aristocracy
- Both wished to maintain the status quo, with the main issue being how to win political advantage over the other party.
- Both accepted royal patronage as part of the political system.
Describe the whigs in 1783
- Believed power should be with the people (or, more realistically, the people’s representatives)
- Believed the monarch should not interfere with the will of parliament and that the power to appoint ministers and officials should come from within parliament.
- Believed in religious toleration for dissenters
Describe the Tories in 1783
- Believed sovereignty belonged to the monarch and the people were subjects whose duty it was to obey
- Accepted the hereditory nature of the monarchy
- Accepted the authority of the established Anglican Church
- Hostile to radicals, dissenters and Catholics
Why did the whigs lead the improvement of organisation and creating a sharper identity?
They were left with no choice but to do this after being pushed into a lengthy opposition by George III in 1783
What did Pitt initially position himself as?
An independent Whig, with him and his supporters preferring to be perceived as representatives of the nation.
Why is Pitt often seen as the first Tory, despite never identifying himself as such?
He criticised the Whig party as being too narrow and controlling political power within a Whig oligarchy serving only their own interests
