1757 caretaker ministry facts for kids

The Kingdom of Great Britain had a temporary government, called a caretaker government, from April to June 1757. This happened after King George II fired William Pitt. Pitt's dismissal caused the previous government, known as the Pitt–Devonshire ministry, to fall apart during the Seven Years' War. Even though the government was unstable, William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire, stayed on as the leader for a short time.

A Time of Change in Government

In 1756, King George had to accept a government led by William Pitt. Pitt was a very important politician, serving as the Secretary of State. The Duke of Devonshire was the official head of this government, holding the title of First Lord of the Treasury.

Why Pitt Was Fired

On April 6, 1757, King George II decided to fire William Pitt. The King did not trust Pitt. This happened after Pitt disagreed with the King about punishing Admiral John Byng. Along with Pitt, his brother-in-law Lord Temple was also removed from his job as First Lord of the Admiralty.

The Government Becomes Weak

After Pitt was fired, it became clear how important he was. People called him the "Great Commoner" because he was so popular and skilled. Without Pitt, the government led by Devonshire was too weak to handle the ongoing war. A big problem was that no one in the government could effectively lead the House of Commons. The government also lacked support from important groups in Parliament.

Finding a New Solution

Devonshire knew that Pitt and his old rival, Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle, needed to work together. Newcastle led a strong group of politicians called the Whigs. Pitt had insisted that Newcastle not be part of the government in 1756.

The King talked with Devonshire and Newcastle in May. He then asked Philip Yorke, 1st Earl of Hardwicke, to help negotiate a new government. Everyone agreed that the country needed a strong government, especially during wartime.

Pitt Returns to Power

Because there was no other good choice, Pitt was asked to return. On June 27, he was reappointed as Secretary of State. This time, Newcastle became the First Lord of the Treasury. Together, they formed a new government called the Pitt–Newcastle ministry. Devonshire then stepped down from his role as First Lord. He took on a less demanding job as Lord Chamberlain.

See also

• 11th Parliament of Great Britain
• 1757 in Great Britain