Pitt+and+the+impact+of+the+French+revolution

**__William Pitt__**


 * William Pitt was Britain's youngest Prime Minister at age 24.
 * He became PM on December 19th 1783.
 * He spent 18 years in office.
 * Died 1806

**__2 administrations__**

**__First administration - 1783-1801 __**

 2 phases: **__1st phase: __**
 * Financial and administrative reforms.
 * "Spearheaded" a period of "National revival"
 * Economic problems and political instability (late 1770s and early 1780s)
 * Economic problems and political instability (late 1770s and early 1780s)

**__2nd phase:__**
 * Early 1790s to his resignation in 1810
 * Britain was at war with France- linked to reaction, and "reign of terror"
 * Crushed an emerging radical threat.

**__Second administration - 1804-1806:__**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">His premiership
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Described as "impaired ministry"
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Characterised by instability and foreign defeat.

The French Revoution greatly affected the attitude of Pitt and his government. Pitt felt that Britain could only watch as France carried on its path of self destruction. The British economy would not allow any financial or diplomatic involvement and so Pitt adopted an attitude of neutrality. However he began to change his mind when France started to interfere with other European nations

- France encouraged rebellion in Holland in 1792. (Holland was Britain's ally and Pitt was worried about what would happen to Britain's trade and naval power if Holland came under french control. Pitt was also worried about a risk of invasion from Holland up the Thames)

- In November 1792 after the french had issued the Edict of Fraternity (Getting people to overthrow their rulers) Pitt's attitude became much colder  When Louis XVI in January 1793 and the Jacobines set up a dictatorship this was seen by Pitt as a threat to national stability in Britain. In February 1793 France declared war on Britain and Pitt reciprocated. Most people supported Pitt and the king in this action. Pitt's reforming policies were frozen by the French Revolution and he reverted to the two traditional duties of an 18th century PM. -maintenance of domestic law and order  -defense of the realm from foreign invasion Pitt felt that republicanism could spread in England if they weren't careful. SO he changed from being a reformer to being a reactionary.