RICHARD MIDDLETON -- Ph.D.  – Professor at Queen's University, Belfast

Dear Dr. Kolkey,
 
I agree that factional self interest in the Eighteenth Century is often the key, as Sir Lewis Namier demonstrated, to most political decisions, including those of war. But self interest, as you say, takes many forms; namely financial gain, family honor, and personal aggrandisement. Perhaps the most conspicuous example among the latter was William Pitt, Senior, who....demonstrated similar political opportunism in calling for the vigorous conduct of the conflict with France in 1755-6, after failing to secure a Secretaryship of State following the death of Henry Pelham. But in adopting these positions he gave hostage to policies which he later shamelessly had to abandon, i.e. his opposition to British troops in Europe. The same desire for office also underpinned much of what the Rockingham Whigs stood for....
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Richard Middleton

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EVELYN CRUICKSHANKS -- Ph.D. – Professor at University of London

You are right about factional politics....

When the Elder Pitt sent back the Hessian and Hanoverian troops at the beginning of the Seven Years War, the joy in London was unbounded. George III ended the proscription of the Tories and reversed Jacobite attainders. Unfortunately, he tangled with the American Colonies!
 
You can get chapter and verse for most of this in my short textbook The Glorious Revolution (Macmillan 2000, available in paperback)
 
Best wishes
 
Eveline Cruickshanks

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