Understanding the Role of the Prime Minister
When Queen Anne died in 1714, something important happened in Britain. Parliament, which is the group of people that makes the laws, needed to choose a new king. They selected George I, who was from Germany. He was chosen because he was the closest Protestant relative of Queen Anne.
Key Events
- Queen Anne’s Death: In 1714, Queen Anne passed away.
- Choice of King: Parliament chose George I as he was the nearest Protestant relative.
- Jacobite Threat: Some people, known as Jacobites, wanted James II’s son to be king instead, but this attempt was stopped quickly.
George I and His Challenges
George I had a problem: he did not speak English very well. This made it hard for him to communicate with the people and the Parliament. Because of this, he had to rely on his ministers, who are people that help the king or queen run the country.
The Rise of the Prime Minister
As George I relied more on his ministers, one minister became the most important. This person was called the Prime Minister. The first person to hold this title was Sir Robert Walpole, who served as Prime Minister from 1721 to 1742.
Key Points to Remember
- Prime Minister: The most important minister in Parliament.
- First Prime Minister: Sir Robert Walpole.
- George I: A king who did not speak good English and relied on his ministers.
Questions for Understanding
Easy Level Questions
- Who became king after Queen Anne?
- A) George II
- B) George I
- C) James II
- D) Robert Walpole
- What year did Queen Anne die?
- A) 1700
- B) 1714
- C) 1721
- D) 1742
- Why did Parliament choose George I?
- A) He was the strongest king.
- B) He was the nearest Protestant relative.
- C) He could speak English well.
- D) He was popular with the people.
- What was the group that wanted James II’s son to be king?
- A) Whigs
- B) Jacobites
- C) Tories
- D) Loyalists
- Who was the first Prime Minister of Britain?
- A) George I
- B) James II
- C) Sir Robert Walpole
- D) Queen Anne
- What language did George I struggle with?
- A) French
- B) Spanish
- C) English
- D) German
- What was George I’s nationality?
- A) English
- B) Scottish
- C) German
- D) Irish
- What did George I need to do because he didn’t speak good English?
- A) Travel more
- B) Rely on his ministers
- C) Leave the country
- D) Learn to dance
- What is the role of the Prime Minister?
- A) To be the king
- B) To manage Parliament
- C) To write laws
- D) To lead the army
- In what year did Sir Robert Walpole become Prime Minister?
- A) 1714
- B) 1721
- C) 1730
- D) 1742
Medium Level Questions
- Why was George I’s reliance on ministers significant?
- A) It changed the monarchy’s power.
- B) He wanted to be a minister.
- C) It made Parliament less important.
- D) It helped him learn English.
- What was a major challenge for George I during his reign?
- A) The economy
- B) Language barrier
- C) War with France
- D) Lack of support
- What did Parliament do to stop the Jacobite attempt?
- A) They made a new law.
- B) They sent troops.
- C) They negotiated.
- D) They held elections.
- Which minister became the most important under George I?
- A) George II
- B) Sir Robert Walpole
- C) James II
- D) Queen Anne
- How long did Sir Robert Walpole serve as Prime Minister?
- A) 10 years
- B) 15 years
- C) 21 years
- D) 30 years
- What is one reason George I was chosen as king?
- A) He was English.
- B) He was a Protestant.
- C) He was wealthy.
- D) He was well-liked.
- How did the Jacobites view the monarchy?
- A) They supported it.
- B) They wanted to change it.
- C) They wanted to restore James II’s son.
- D) They wanted a new king.
- What impact did George I’s language skills have on his rule?
- A) He was more popular.
- B) It made him rely on others.
- C) It helped him govern.
- D) It caused him to abdicate.
- What does the term “Protestant relative” mean in this context?
- A) A family member who is Protestant.
- B) Someone who opposes the monarchy.
- C) A friend of the king.
- D) A wealthy noble.
- What was one reason Parliament needed a Prime Minister?
- A) To speak for the king.
- B) To lead the army.
- C) To make laws.
- D) To manage foreign affairs.
Hard Level Questions
- What was the significance of the Jacobite defeat?
- A) It strengthened Parliament’s power.
- B) It made George I more popular.
- C) It ended the monarchy.
- D) It established a new king.
- How did George I’s background affect his reign?
- A) He was more involved in local affairs.
- B) He had to rely on his ministers due to language issues.
- C) He spoke to the people daily.
- D) He was less interested in politics.
- What does the title “Prime Minister” imply about the role?
- A) The leader of the army.
- B) The head of the Church.
- C) The most important minister in Parliament.
- D) The king’s advisor.
- Why might George I have been seen as a controversial choice?
- A) He was not English.
- B) He was very wealthy.
- C) He spoke multiple languages.
- D) He was a popular figure.
- What was Sir Robert Walpole’s contribution to the role of Prime Minister?
- A) He expanded the monarchy’s powers.
- B) He formalized the position of Prime Minister.
- C) He was the last Prime Minister.
- D) He started a war.
- How did Parliament’s decision to choose George I affect future monarchs?
- A) It made all future kings German.
- B) It established a Protestant line for kings.
- C) It ended the monarchy.
- D) It created a new government.
- What does the term “ministers” refer to in this context?
- A) Religious leaders.
- B) Government officials who help the king.
- C) Military leaders.
- D) Local town leaders.
- What was a consequence of George I’s reliance on ministers?
- A) A stronger monarchy.
- B) The rise of parliamentary power.
- C) A decline in government.
- D) A focus on the military.
- How did George I’s foreign background affect his relationship with Parliament?
- A) It created distrust.
- B) It had no effect.
- C) It strengthened ties.
- D) It led to more wars.
- In what way did Sir Robert Walpole shape the future of the Prime Minister’s role?
- A) He made it ceremonial.
- B) He increased its political power.
- C) He ended the position.
- D) He focused on military matters.
Answers and Explanations
Easy Level Answers
- B) George I
- B) 1714
- B) He was the nearest Protestant relative.
- B) Jacobites
- C) Sir Robert Walpole
- C) English
- C) German
- B) Rely on his ministers
- B) To manage Parliament
- B) 1721
Medium Level Answers
- A) It changed the monarchy’s power.
- B) Language barrier
- B) They sent troops.
- B) Sir Robert Walpole
- C) 21 years
- B) He was a Protestant.
- C) They wanted to restore James II’s son.
- B) It made him rely on others.
- A) A family member who is Protestant.
- A) To speak for the king.
Hard Level Answers
- A) It strengthened Parliament’s power.
- B) He had to rely on his ministers due to language issues.
- C) The most important minister in Parliament.
- A) He was not English.
- B) He formalized the position of Prime Minister.
- B) It established a Protestant line for kings.
- B) Government officials who help the king.
- B) The rise of parliamentary power.
- A) It created distrust.
- B) He increased its political power.
