Ministry of All the Talents facts for kids

The Ministry of All the Talents was a special government in the United Kingdom. It was formed by William Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville, who became Prime Minister on 11 February 1806. This happened after the death of the previous Prime Minister, William Pitt the Younger.

Forming a Strong Government

At the time, Britain was still fighting a big war. This was the War of the Third Coalition against France. Lord Grenville wanted to create the strongest possible government. He decided to include many important politicians from almost all political groups. This is why it was called the "Ministry of All the Talents."

Key Members and Challenges

One surprising person to join was Charles James Fox. King George III had not liked Fox much before. But for the good of the country, the King agreed to work with him. This helped many other leaders decide to join or support the new government. The government had some new and modern ideas they wanted to try.

What the Ministry Achieved

The Ministry of All the Talents did not manage to make peace with France. The war actually went on for almost another ten years. However, they did achieve something very important. In 1807, they passed a law that abolished the slave trade in Britain. This meant it was no longer legal to buy or sell enslaved people in the British Empire.

Why the Government Ended

The government eventually broke up in 1807. The main reason was a disagreement about Catholic emancipation. This was about whether Catholics should have more rights in Britain. After this, a new government took over. It was called the Second Portland ministry, led by William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland.

The Term "All the Talents" Today

The phrase "Ministry of All the Talents" is still used today. It describes a government that includes members from different political parties. It can also mean a government that has many very skilled people, even if they are not from different parties.

Modern Examples

For example, the British government during the Second World War was a "coalition government." This means it brought together leaders from different parties. Another example is the Canadian government that won the 1896 Canadian federal election. In Ireland, a government from 1973 to 1977 was also called the "cabinet of all the talents." This shows how the idea of bringing together the best people for a country's leadership continues.