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.