First Newcastle ministry facts for kids
From 1754 to 1756, the Duke of Newcastle was the leader of the government in Great Britain. He became the head of the government after his brother, Henry Pelham, who was the previous prime minister, passed away. The Duke of Newcastle then formed a new government made up of members from the Whig party.
He stayed in power until 1756. His government ended because of two main reasons. First, the important island of Minorca was lost during the Siege of Fort St Philip. Second, he faced strong criticism for how he handled the start of the Seven Years' War, a big conflict that was spreading across Europe.
One of the most important people in this first government led by Newcastle was Henry Fox. He became the Leader of the House of Commons in November 1755. Before that, he joined the Cabinet (a group of top government officials) in December 1754 as the Secretary at War, which meant he was in charge of military matters.
Who Was in the Government?
It can be a bit tricky to know exactly who was part of the main group of ministers, often called the Cabinet, during this time. However, we know that the Duke of Newcastle was the most important person, holding the title of First Lord of the Treasury. This role is similar to being the Prime Minister today. He also led the House of Lords, which is one of the two parts of the British Parliament.
Other key roles in his government included:
- Chancellor of the Exchequer: This person was in charge of the country's money and finances. During Newcastle's time, this role was held by a few different people, including Sir William Lee, Henry Bilson-Legge, and Sir George Lyttelton.
- Lord Chancellor: This was the most senior judge in the country and also played a big part in the government. The Earl of Hardwicke held this position throughout Newcastle's government.
- Secretaries of State: These ministers were responsible for different areas, like dealing with other countries. Thomas Robinson and Henry Fox were Southern Secretaries, while The Earl of Holderness was the Northern Secretary. Henry Fox also became the Leader of the House of Commons, helping to guide laws through Parliament.
- First Lord of the Admiralty: This person was in charge of the Royal Navy, which was very important for Britain's power and trade. The Lord Anson held this role.
Many other important people held different positions, helping to run the country. These included the Lord President of the Council (who oversaw government meetings), the Lord Privy Seal (who looked after the King's personal seal), and the Master-General of the Ordnance (in charge of military supplies and weapons). There were also roles like the Lord Chamberlain of the Household and Lord Steward of the Household, who managed the royal household.
The government also had a Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, who was the King's main representative in Ireland. The Duke of Dorset and later The Duke of Devonshire held this position.
See also
- 11th Parliament of Great Britain
- 1754 British general election
- Great Britain in the Seven Years' War
