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Second Rockingham ministry
Coat of arms of Great Britain (1714–1801).svg
March–July 1782
2nd Marquess of Rockingham (cropped).png
Rockingham (after Joshua Reynolds)
Date formed 27 March 1782 (1782-03-27)
Date dissolved 1 July 1782 (1782-07-01)
People and organisations
Monarch George III
Prime Minister Lord Rockingham
Total no. of members 16 appointments
Member party Rockingham Whigs
Status in legislature Majority
234 / 449

Opposition party Grenvillites
History
Legislature term(s) 15th GB Parliament
Predecessor North ministry
Successor Shelburne ministry

This article is about the important people who held government jobs during the time Lord Rockingham was Prime Minister. This was his second time in charge, and it lasted for about four months in 1782. A "ministry" is like a team of top government officials led by the Prime Minister.

The previous government, known as the North ministry, had to resign on March 22, 1782. This happened because they lost the trust of the Parliament (the main law-making body) after Britain lost a big battle called the siege of Yorktown during the American War of Independence.

After this defeat, Lord Rockingham, a leader of the Rockingham Whigs political group, became Prime Minister. He had been Prime Minister once before, from 1765 to 1766. The Rockingham Whigs generally supported the American colonists who were fighting for their independence. Under Rockingham's leadership, the British government started talking about peace. These talks eventually led to the Peace of Paris in 1783, which officially ended the war.

Sadly, Lord Rockingham died on July 1, 1782. His death caused a big disagreement within the government. Lord Shelburne, who was the Home Secretary (in charge of internal affairs), was chosen to take over as Prime Minister. However, some members of Rockingham's team refused to work under Lord Shelburne and resigned. These people were called the "Portland Whigs," named after their leader, the Duke of Portland. But the real leader of this group was Charles James Fox. This group then joined forces with Lord North (the former Prime Minister) to oppose Shelburne. Together, they managed to bring down the Shelburne ministry in 1783 and formed their own government, known as the Fox–North coalition.

Key Government Leaders (1782)

This section lists some of the most important people who served in Lord Rockingham's government. These individuals were part of the "Cabinet," which is a small group of the most senior ministers who make big decisions.

Prime Minister and Treasury Leader

Important Cabinet Roles

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