The influence of the crown and aristocracy Flashcards
(11 cards)
1
Q
What political powers did the monarch possess in 1780?
A
- appoint and dismiss ministers
- reward supporters by granting them positions in gov or administration
- offer financial incentives such as pensions or sinecures
2
Q
What was the role of the aristocracy in 1780?
A
- gov and parliament dominated by landowning class
- aristocracy held positions in church, armed services, judiciary and local gov
3
Q
What were Burke’s economic reforms?
A
- limited his own salary to £4,000 and put saved funds into the bank of England
- 1783, Civil Service Act abolished 130 royal sinecures
4
Q
What were Pitt’s economic reforms?
A
- wanted to reduce patronage and sinecures
- waited until office holders died and then allowed the position to lapse
- by 1806, large number of offices had gone
- ministers would now have to rely on support of parliament to remain in office
5
Q
How did the 1832 reform act impact the power of the crown?
A
- stopped crown being able to appoint gov, needed a majority
- William IV dismissed whig gov, asked Peel to form a gov, Peel unable to command a majority
- King forced to let Whigs return
6
Q
How did the 1839 bedchamber crisis impact the power of the crown?
A
- Victoria didn’t like Peel and refused to change her ladies
- Peel stepped down as PM in protest
- this was the last time Victoria went against her PM
7
Q
What was the position of the House of Lords in the constitution before 1911?
A
- HoL consisted of hereditary peers, bishops and archbishops
- retained right to reject bills for constitutional change
- 1860 convention ensured that Hoc had full power over financial matters
8
Q
What was the dispute over the People’s Budget 1909?
A
- Liberals won 1906 election
- HoL immediately vetoed Liberal reforms such as the education bill and a measure to abolish plural voting
- as part of the 1909 budget, Liberals wanted to introduce a 20% tax on the unearned increase in land values and a super tax on incomes above £8,000 a year
- HoL rejected by a large majority
9
Q
How was the constitutional crisis resolved?
A
- Asquith asked King George V to create enough new peers to pass the bill
- King agreed on condition that another election is held
- Liberal victory, King threatened to flood lords with liberal peers
10
Q
What were the terms of the 1911 Parliament Act?
A
- HoL could not amend or defeat a money bill
- HoC passes law 3 times HoL can no longer block it
11
Q
What was the impact of death duties and land tax on the power of the aristocracy?
A
- inheritance tax, succession duty
- every generation aristocracy loses wealth
