The early decade of the 18th century

Résumé du document

The year 1688 introduced a long period of dynastic instability and problems of succession. This instability was aggravated by the existence of a rival claimant to the throne in the person of James II's son: James Francis Edward. He was a Roman Catholic, also known as the "Old Pretender". Queen Mary died in 1694. It was resolved that the succession would go to Anne, Mary's sister - the 2nd daughter of James II. It was of parliamentary importance to maintain a protestant succession. She remained on the throne until 1714. The parliament passed the Act of Settlement in 1701 - the year of James II's death. It gave the crown to the House of Hanover. In 1714, the elector of Hanover, that is George I, succeeded Queen Anne on the throne. He reigned until 1727.

Extraits

[...] This year marked the beginning of the protracted Napoleonic wars, which lasted until 1815. The severe policy of repression enforced by the British government who feared contamination of the revolutionary ideas especially after the unprecedented success of Rights of men. In 1792, a royal proclamation condemned seditious writings and the persecution of reformers began in Scotland and in England. In May 1794, Habeas Corpus was suspended. In 1795, two acts were passed to curtail freedom of expression and prohibit public meetings. [...]

[...] Rise of radicalism: second half of the 18th century. John Wilkes, MP and founder of the North Britain, fought for the right of voters to determine their representatives. During all these years, society has evolved in favour of the middle classes. They were no longer a small group. There was also a growth in the middle ranks of the professionals (doctors, physicians, industrialists ) who were making their fortune in steal and cotton. There was a fierce demonstration of corrupt in politics. [...]

[...] It must not be forgotten that the American war was won with the assistance of the French. This was bitterly resented by the British government. From 1789 and for the next years the history of Britain is inextricably tied up with the French revolution. The fall of the Bastille, the abolition of the feudal regime was seen as the prelude to the emergence of another constituted monarchy on the english model in Europe. Edmund Burke emerged as the only critic of the French revolution right from its beginning. [...]

[...] The ministerial cabinet was constituted of whigs statesmen. The General Elections of 1715 gave the whigs a comfortable majority in the House of Commons. The Tories leaders were arrested. It is against that background that the Jabobite raising of 1715 took place in Scotland. This rebellion which is known as the 15, expressed the sense of frustration of the Scots, who opposed the Act of Union of 1707, the protestant succession and the Tories purges. The rebellions were severely repressed. [...]

[...] They strongly identified with the French insurgents. Among the dissenters, was Doctor Pride who publicly rejoiced that the French were « starting from sleep » breaking the fetters « and claiming justice from their opponents ». Poets and intellectual also welcomed the French revolution. The revolution societies met in 1788 to celebrate the 1688 revolution and sent his congratulations to the French national assembly. In 1791, Thomas Paine published Rights of men, as a reply to Burke's reflections. The former sold better that the latter. [...]