The new administration formed in 1742 consisted of Walpole's followers with the addition of some new Whigs brought in from the opposition. George II wished to make as few changes as possible. He aimed to give the opposition enough office to secure a majority without creating disputes between the parties.
One of the ministers the King retained was the …show more content…
This lasted for a few days for the King had to stop his hostilities, Pitt had to be brought to the ministry and the King had to place his trust in the Pelhams. With the trust of the Commons and now the trust of the King, Pelham was now the head of the Cabinet and thus England's second Prime Minister.
Why did the War of the Austrian Succession breakout?
The war of the Austrian Succession broke out after the death of Emperor Charles VI of Austria. He had only one heir, Maria Theresa, so before his death he spent years seeking guaranties from other countries that they would accept her as queen peacefully. Frederick of Prussia (long enemy of Austria and main contender for the supremacy over the Germanic countries) used this as an opportunity to seize Silesia and show his military superiority over the other German princes.
The …show more content…
For this purpose he supported Frederick the Great with generous subsidies. In the past he had denounced commitments and subsidies on the continent, but the situation had now altered. England already was bound by treaty to come to Frederick’s assistance and Frederick might well be overwhelmed, leaving the French at liberty to concentrate on the war with England. Pitt had a firm grasp of the strategic importance of sea power. If the French fleets could be destroyed at sea or blockaded, the link between France and her colonies would be severed. Thus an English blockade became an essential feature of the war. It achieved much more than keeping the French inactive. It reduced the morale and efficiency of the blockaded fleets whereas the blockading squadron remains in a state of preparedness and keenness for