The Hanoverian Succession & the First Three Georges

The Hanoverian Succession and the Reign of the First Three Georges

The Hanoverian succession in England marked a significant shift in British history, bringing the German House of Hanover to the British throne. This period began in 1714 with the accession of George I and continued through the reigns of George II and George III.

1. The Hanoverian Succession (1714)

The Hanoverian succession was the result of the Act of Settlement (1701), which was passed to ensure a Protestant succession to the English throne. The act excluded Catholics from inheriting the crown and named Sophia of Hanover (a granddaughter of James I of England) and her Protestant descendants as heirs.

When Queen Anne (the last Stuart monarch) died in 1714 without an heir, Sophia had already passed away, making her son, George, Elector of Hanover, the next in line. He became King George I of Great Britain on August 1, 1714, despite being a German prince with little knowledge of England and its politics.

2. The Reign of George I (1714-1727)

Key Features of His Rule

• Language and Political Challenges: George I spoke little English and was unfamiliar with English customs, leading to dependence on ministers, especially Sir Robert Walpole, who became Britain’s first "Prime Minister" in practice.
  

• Rise of the Cabinet System: Since George I rarely attended Cabinet meetings, power shifted to his ministers, strengthening the parliamentary system and reducing the king’s direct involvement in governance.
• Jacobite Rebellions: In 1715, a rebellion led by the supporters of the Catholic James Francis Edward Stuart (the "Old Pretender") attempted to restore the Stuart line but was quickly suppressed.

James Francis Edward Stuart: The only son of James II of England and his second wife, Mary of Modena, he was Prince of Wales and heir until his Catholic father was deposed and exiled in the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

• Foreign Policy: George’s foreign policy focused on protecting Hanover. He involved Britain in European alliances, notably in the War of the Quadruple Alliance (1718-1720).
• The South Sea Bubble (1720): A financial crisis caused by the speculative collapse of the South Sea Company led to economic turmoil in Britain.

The South Sea Bubble of 1720 ("the world's first financial crash") was a major financial crash in London triggered by speculation in the South Sea Company's stock, which rapidly inflated and then crashed, leaving many investors ruined. Read more: https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/South-Sea-Bubble/

Death and Succession

George I died in 1727 while traveling in Hanover, and his son, George II, succeeded him.

3. The Reign of George II (1727-1760)

Key Features of His Rule

• Continued Parliamentary Government: Like his father, George II relied on Parliament and ministers, particularly Sir Robert Walpole (until 1742).
• The War of Jenkins’ Ear (1739-1748): A conflict with Spain over trade disputes, which later merged into the broader War of Austrian Succession.
• The Jacobite Rebellion of 1745: The "Young Pretender" Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) attempted to restore the Stuart monarchy but was defeated at the Battle of Culloden (1746).
• Colonial Expansion: Britain’s overseas influence grew, particularly in India and North America.
• Seven Years' War (1756-1763): Britain engaged in a global conflict against France, laying the foundation for British imperial dominance.

Death and Succession

George II died in 1760, and his grandson, George III, ascended the throne.

4. The Reign of George III (1760-1820)

George III became heir to the throne on the death of his father in 1751, succeeding his grandfather, George II, in 1760. He was the third Hanoverian monarch and the first one to be born in England and to use English as his first language.

Key Features of His Rule

• Assertive Monarchy: Unlike his predecessors, George III sought to take a more active role in government, resisting parliamentary control.
• The American Revolution (1775-1783): Britain lost its thirteen American colonies, marking a major setback for the empire.
• French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars (1789-1815): Britain emerged as a dominant European power after defeating Napoleon at Waterloo (1815).
• Madness and Regency: George III suffered from recurrent mental illness leading to the Regency Act (1811), which made his son, the future George IV, the Prince Regent.

Death and Legacy

George III died in 1820, ending one of the longest reigns in British history.

The Hanoverian period saw Britain transition from a monarchy with strong royal influence to a parliamentary system dominated by ministers. The first three Georges ruled during a time of political stability, colonial expansion, and economic growth, despite facing challenges like the Jacobite uprisings and the loss of the American colonies. The foundations of modern Britain, including its global empire and parliamentary democracy, were laid during their reigns.

Society in England during the Reigns of the First Three Georges (1714-1820)

The period covering the reigns of George I (1714-1727), George II (1727-1760), and George III (1760-1820) was a transformative era in British society and culture. It saw the rise of urbanization, commerce, colonial expansion, and intellectual movements like the Enlightenment and Romanticism. Literature flourished, with the development of the novel, satire, poetry, and drama.

Society in Georgian England

1. Urbanization and Social Change

• London became the largest and most influential city in Europe, with significant growth in other cities like Bristol, Manchester, and Birmingham.
• The period witnessed the rise of a wealthy commercial middle class alongside the traditional aristocracy.
• Coffeehouses and clubs (e.g., the Kit-Cat Club and the Hellfire Club) became centres of political debate, literary discussion, and gossip.
• The Industrial Revolution began in the late 18th century, leading to technological progress and economic shifts.

2. Political and Social Hierarchy

• British society remained hierarchical, with aristocrats, gentry, and clergy dominating political and social life.
• However, the merchant and professional classes gained influence through trade, finance, and colonial expansion.
• The rural poor faced hardship, and enclosure laws forced many off communal lands, increasing urban migration.

3. Science and Enlightenment Thought

• The 18th century was a time of scientific progress with figures like Isaac Newton influencing Enlightenment thinkers.
• The rise of rationalism and empiricism challenged traditional religious and philosophical ideas.
• Periodicals and essays (e.g., Joseph Addison and Richard Steele’s The Spectator) popularized new scientific and philosophical discussions.

4. Slavery and Colonial Influence

• Britain played a key role in the transatlantic slave trade, which fueled economic growth.
• Colonial expansion in India, the Caribbean, and North America brought wealth but also conflicts (e.g., the American Revolution and Seven Years’ War).
• The abolitionist movement gained momentum by the late 18th century, leading to the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act (1807).

Prepared by
Jacob Eapen Kunnath
Dept. of English, CMS College Kottayam (Autonomous)