Second Stanhope–Sunderland ministry facts for kids
.jpg)
The second Stanhope–Sunderland ministry was a team of government leaders in Great Britain. It lasted from 1718 to 1721. This government was led by two important figures: Earl Stanhope and Earl of Sunderland. They were both members of the Whig party.
This ministry was a continuation of their earlier government, which started in 1717. In 1718, Stanhope and Sunderland swapped their main jobs. Sunderland became the First Lord of the Treasury, which was a very powerful position. The ministry ended in February 1721 when Earl Stanhope passed away.
Contents
Who Were the Leaders?
This government was named after its two main leaders. They were like the co-captains of the team.
James Stanhope: A Key Leader
James Stanhope was a skilled politician and soldier. He played a big role in British politics during this time. In this ministry, he served as the Northern Secretary. This job involved handling relations with countries in northern Europe.
Charles Spencer: The Earl of Sunderland
Charles Spencer, the Earl of Sunderland, was another powerful figure. He was known for his political skills. When this ministry began, he took on the role of First Lord of the Treasury. This position was similar to being the head of the government's finances and overall leader.
What Was a Ministry?
In British history, a "ministry" was the group of people chosen by the King to run the government. These people held important jobs, like managing money or dealing with other countries. They worked together to make decisions for the country.
The Whig Party
The Whigs were one of the two main political parties in Great Britain at this time. They generally supported the power of Parliament and a Protestant king. The Stanhope–Sunderland ministry was a Whig government, meaning its members mostly shared these ideas.
Important Jobs in the Ministry
Many different people held important jobs in the government. Here are some of the main roles during this time:
- First Lord of the Treasury: This person was in charge of the country's money. The Earl of Sunderland held this job from 1718 to 1721.
- Northern Secretary: This role focused on foreign affairs, especially with countries in northern Europe. The Earl Stanhope was the Northern Secretary.
- Lord Chancellor: This was the head of the legal system. The Earl of Macclesfield held this position.
- Lord President of the Council: This person led meetings of the King's most important advisors. This role was held by The Earl of Sunderland for a time, and later by others like Viscount Townshend.
- Southern Secretary: This role handled foreign affairs with countries in southern Europe and the American colonies. James Craggs the Younger held this job for most of the ministry.
- Chancellor of the Exchequer: This person was also very important for managing the country's money. John Aislabie held this position.
- Paymaster of the Forces: This job involved paying the army. Robert Walpole took on this role in 1720. He would later become a very famous Prime Minister.
How the Ministry Ended
The second Stanhope–Sunderland ministry came to an end in February 1721. This happened because Earl Stanhope died. His death led to big changes in the government. After this, new leaders and a new government team took over.
