Career and Achievements of George Ii of England
by When George II ascended the throne of England, he was already more than forty years old. He had a little more ability than his father. He could fluently speak English and knew well the in situations and customs of the English society.
Like his father his private life was not above board and his tastes were rather coarse. He was not an able and competent general though he had earned a name for himself under Marl borough in the Low Countries.
His bravery and enthusiasm were, however, not in doubt. At home, George II was rather Lazy. He entrusted the entire government to the hands of his ministers.
On the other hand, Queen Caroline was a lady of intellectual bent of mind, ability and of sound judgement. She wielded unified influence on George II her husband.
Reign of George II was full of events. It was during his reign that England was involved in Austrian war of succession and had to face Jacobite Revolt. Some of the major events were:
The porteous Riots. War with Spain and Resignation of Walpole.
The war of Australians succession (1743-1748)
(a) Carteret New Castle Ministry:
Walpoles’s resignation posed an in separable problem. Among the ministers, none was singly suitable to run the government and hold the office of Prime Minister. Ultimately leadership of the ministry was given to two members Carteret and Thomas Pelham and the former had the upper hand. It was so because he had a close knowledge of German language and affairs.
And this afforded him a chance to exercise formidable influence over the king. The king was extremely pleased with him. Pelham was extremely fussy about minor details and this made his position slightly ludicrous.
(b) Origin of the war:
As the Austrian war succession gained momentary any how England drifted into it. Archduke Charles, Charles VI, the emperor of Austria, had no son. He made all his hereditary states agree to transfer their loyalty to Maria Thereso, daughter of Emperor Charles VI, after the death of the Emperor. This the emperor ensured by a document known as the “Pragmatic sanction”. Besides, Charles VI made some other European powers agree to support his arrangement.
These powers included England, France, Spain, Holland, Prussia and Bavaria. Charles VI died in 1740 then ensured a scramble for power among the powers of Europe. Maria Theresa, the nominee of Charles VI was quite helpless before a host of enemies.
The only friend that Maria Theresasa had been England and Holland, England helped Maria in men, money and material and put all her available man power and forces at the disposal of Austria. England also, persuaded Maria to collaborate with Fredrick of Prussia though at the cost of foregoing her claim over Siberia.
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