No One Else Can

Part #1: Pittfall

From “Atlas of British Political Figures” - London, 2003

William Pitt (1708-1754). Son of Robert Pitt, Tory member of Parliament from 1705 to 1727, and Harriet Villiers, descended from Irish nobility. Entered as a gentleman commoner in Oxford in 1727, but left without finishing his degree in 1728 due to gout. From 1728 to 1730, attended the Utrecht University. Served as a cornet in the British Army from 1730 to 1736.

Entered Parliament in 1735, and joined an opposition group called the Patriot Whigs, led by the Lord Cobham. In 1736, Prime Minister Robert Walpole arranged Pitt's from the army. The Prince of Wales, Prince Frederick, appointed Pitt Groom of the Bedchamber the same year.

Agitated for war with Spain in the 1730s, and the War of Jenkins' Ear, against Spain, broke out in 1739; it was soon merged into the larger War of the Austrian Succession in 1740.

Stood against paying a subsidy to Hanover during the early stages of the war, and continued to remain in opposition even after many Patriots joined the government in 1744, as his views on Hanover were considered too controversial. In 1746, abruptly reversed his position on Hanoverian subsidies and entered the government, becoming first Vice Treasurer of Ireland and then Paymaster-General.

Was one of the favorites for the position of Prime Minister in 1754, but was passed over in favor of Sir Thomas Robinson.[1]

During the end of his career, agitated for a war against France over American colonial disputes. Died suddenly in 1754, leaving his militaristic 'Patriot Whig' group leaderless and fragmented, unable to prevent the Agreement of 1756.

[1] Everything up to here is OTL.
 
I just want to note that this is an attempt to convert the extremely successful 1750 mapgame in Shared Worlds to timeline format. So, before I continue, I want to cite everyone and anyone who worked on that game.

There will be minor differences, but for the most part I will try to remain very true to the story :)
 
Vosem

This would potentially be a huge divergence. Britain would still have a substantial social and economic edge over France in the forthcoming war but without Pitt's organisational skills and determination things could have gone considerably worse, at least in the short term.

One quibble. I'm pretty certain the quote is from his line "My Lord, I am sure I can save this country, and no one else can". He didn't, OTL, become PM until mid 1757, in coalition with his old enemy the Duke of Newcastle. Was briefly leader of the House of Commons in Dec 56-Apr57.

Steve
 
I just want to note that this is an attempt to convert the extremely successful 1750 mapgame in Shared Worlds to timeline format. So, before I continue, I want to cite everyone and anyone who worked on that game.

There will be minor differences, but for the most part I will try to remain very true to the story :)

Is that the one with the ridiculous deal where the Netherlands trades away the extremely useful, strategic Cape colony for a bunch of worthless Australian desert?
 
Vosem

This would potentially be a huge divergence. Britain would still have a substantial social and economic edge over France in the forthcoming war but without Pitt's organisational skills and determination things could have gone considerably worse, at least in the short term.

One quibble. I'm pretty certain the quote is from his line "My Lord, I am sure I can save this country, and no one else can". He didn't, OTL, become PM until mid 1757, in coalition with his old enemy the Duke of Newcastle. Was briefly leader of the House of Commons in Dec 56-Apr57.

Steve

Yes, that's where the title comes from. I know he didn't become Prime Minister until several years later; with his death, the Duke of Newcastle has much less organized opposition, and Newcastle did not desire war with France (though it was inevitable sooner or later). Thus, the war gets delayed (it started several years later in the mapgame, one of the first significant divergences).

Is that the one with the ridiculous deal where the Netherlands trades away the extremely useful, strategic Cape colony for a bunch of worthless Australian desert?

Yes, that's the one. If something seems unrealistic, I welcome my readers to complain about it -- it doesn't have to strictly adhere to the mapgame. Still, I would like to remain as faithful as possible. When we reach the trade (which I think occurred in the early 1800s (can't quite recall)), then please do protest, but for now this is far into the future :)
 
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