Lord North: The Prime Minister Who Lost America

by Peter Whiteley

Lord North was in many ways a most successful politician. Prime Minister for an unbroken twelve years, his management of both parliament and of the business of government was adept. He enjoyed the confidence of King George III, not always an easy political ally, avoided factional strife (having no political following of his own), was notably uncorrupt and made virtually no enemies. In many ways he epitomizes the political outlook and aristocratic assumptions of the eighteenth century. He was equally fortunate in his private life, apart from always being rather short of money.He is, however, principally remembered for presiding over Britain's loss of her American colonies. Lord The Prime Minister Who Lost America is a scholarly but highly readable account of his life. It includes a full study of the American War of Independence, examining it from the perspective of the British Government as well as from the colonial standpoint. No senior politician had visited America, and few had proper knowledge or understanding of Americans. Too often the colonies were regarded as unruly and ungrateful children, with whom compromise was either a sign of weakness or the betrayal of the principle of parliamentary sovereignty. His high-mindedness contributed to the final humiliation, as did ignorant over-confidence. Military defeat, to a country that had become preeminent in Europe by the end of the Seven Years' War, was not entertained as a possibility .

Genres: History, Biography

256 pages, Paperback

First published August 2, 2003

Reviews

[Jerome Otte · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sympathetic history of North’s unfortunate career.

The title is a bit misleading; Whiteley never argues that North bears all or most of the blame for the American crisis. The author covers North’s political career, his aloofness from the Whigs (and any political alliances in general), and how mild and respected he was as a person, as well as how clear, blunt and humorous he could be as a politician in Commons. He also enjoyed a stable private life, but was frequently harried by his own financial troubles and his personal distaste for confrontation.

North often considered himself unfit to be prime minister; Whitely argues that North’s devotion to the king was a sort of moral commitment for North, even though it seems more like blackmail on the king’s part. Whitely also never really clears up North’s own views on the American crisis, or describes North’s role in successfully raising funds for the war.

An interesting and well-organized work.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brief biography of the Prime Minister who led Great Britain during the American Revolution. Very good background on early life and rise to power. Book focuses mostly on his time in office as it relates to America, but it short changes the other events that took place during his time as Prime Minister (war with France, riots in London, Irish problems).