Why did Pitt the younger dominate politics 1783-93

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William Pitt came to power in December 1783, becoming the youngest prime minister in British history. Pitt’s authoritative nature right from the outset served him in good stead, and he exercised a dominance over both parliament and his monarch which very few subsequent Prime Ministers have managed. Pitt also supported parliamentary reform right from the off, and he believed that parliament at that moment in time had become too resistant to reform and the King held too much power. He was a brave man, knowing that the King detested parliamentary reform, he submitted a general proposal for which it was easier to get support for than a specific scheme. He also wanted to increase the British electorate by 30%. At this time, Pitt also had the undivided support of King George III and used this to his advantage, with the King dissolving parliament at just the right time in March 1784 so that Pitt would have the optimum chance of coming to power. “No one who had not been an eye-witness could conceive the ascendancy which Mr. Pitt then possessed over the House of Commons.” “Pitt does not make friends” these quotes, both by William Wilberforce illustrate the ruthlessness which Pitt often showed in the face of adversity and the mature attitude with which he approached important matters, these characteristics were to serve him well during his time as Prime Minister. With regards to trading, in 1784 Britain realised that there was great potential for a business opportunity but we needed to work with the East India company who held a monopoly on trade in the area at the time. However in 1784 the India Act was passed which took all the political power away from the East India company but they were still allowed to operate. Once we had lost one of our biggest trading partners the USA it was unclear to most people how we would capitalise on the commercial opportunities in Europe.
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