Forces of Change 1760-1789

Forces of change 1760-1789

George III was the eldest son of Fredrick, Prince of Wiles. He became heir to the death of his father in 1751, succeeding his grandfather in 1760. George III was widely remembered for two things; losing the American colonies and going mad. George's direct responsibility for the loss of the colonies is not great. He opposed their bid for independence to the end, but he did not develop the policies such as the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Townshend duties of 1767 on tea, paper and other products which led too war in 1775- 1776 and which had the support of Parliament. These policies were largely due to the financial burdens of garrisoning and administering the vast expansion of territory brought under the British Crown in America, the costs of a series of wars with France and Spain in North America, and the loans given to the East India Company.

The declaration of American independence on July 4, 1776, the end of the war with the surrender by British forces in 1782, and the defeat which the loss of the American colonies represented, could have threatened the Hanoverian throne. However, George's strong defense of what he saw as the national interest and the prospect of long war with revolutionary France made him more popular than before. The American War, its political aftermath and family anxieties placed great strain on George III in the 1780's. After a series of illnesses, George III became permanently deranged in 1810. He was mentally unfit to rule in the last decade of his period in office; his eldest son the later IV acted as Prince Regent from 1811.

The first 25 years of George's reign were politically controversial for reasons other than the conflict with America. The King was accused by some critics, particularly Whigs, of attempting to reassert royal authority in an unconstitutional manner. In fact, George took a conventional view of the constitution and the powers left to the Crown after the conflicts between Crown and Parliament in the 17th century. Although he was careful not to exceed his powers, George's limited ability and lack of delicacy in dealing with the shifting alliances within the Tory and Whig political groupings in Parliament meant that he found it difficult to bring together ministries which could enjoy the support of the House of Commons. His problem was solved first by the long lasting ministry of Lord Northand then, from 1783, by Pitt the Younger, whose ministry lasted until 1801. George III also took a devoted interest in agriculture, particularly on the crown estates at Richmond and Windsor, being known as Farmer George. In his last years, physical as well as mental powers deserted him and he became blind. He died at Windsor Castle on January 29, 1820 after a reign of almost 60 years perhaps the second longest in British history.

France and America concluded an alliance by signing two treaties, a treaty of peace and commerce and a military alliance. The nations exchanged ambassadors, and France and England were soon at war. Parliament soon passed bills calling for reconciliation with America and sent a peace commission to Philadelphia to try to achieve a settlement. The Americans, however, refused to accept the commission and declared that any person who met with the commission would be branded an enemy of the United States. Congress responded that the only basis for reconciliation would be a full withdrawal of all British troops from American soil and recognition of American independence. The war would continue.

In May Sir Henry Clinton replaced General Howe and, hearing that a French fleet was on the way to America, decided to move his army back to New York. The Americans reoccupied Philadelphia on June 18, and Washington decided to pursue the retreating British across New Jersey. On June 28 Washington caught up with the British at Monmouth Courthouse, New Jersey. General Charles Lee was in command of an advance unit with orders to attack at the first opportunity. Orders to Generals Lafayette and Anthony Wayne became confused,