OCR Specification focus:
‘Tory eclipse and defeats; Jacobitism, the ’15 and the ’45.’
The early eighteenth century witnessed the decline of Tory influence, persistent Jacobite conspiracies, and two major risings that threatened the Hanoverian succession.
The Tory Eclipse
The Tory eclipse refers to the dramatic decline in Tory political influence following the death of Queen Anne in 1714 and the accession of George I.
The Hanoverian succession favoured the Whigs, who were seen as reliable supporters of Protestant succession.
The Tories were associated with opposition to the Hanoverians and suspected of Jacobite sympathies, weakening their position in court and Parliament.
George I distrusted the Tories, many of whom had supported peace with France and opposed the Hanoverian claim, and instead filled government positions with Whigs.
This ushered in a long period of Whig dominance, sometimes called the Whig Ascendancy, lasting much of the first half of the eighteenth century.
Causes of Tory Decline
Jacobite links: Tories were suspected of harbouring loyalty to the exiled Stuart line.
Foreign policy divisions: They opposed the continuation of war against France but this position appeared unpatriotic and self-serving.
Royal favour: The Hanoverian monarchs gave almost exclusive trust to the Whigs, excluding Tories from meaningful power.
Internal division: Tory factions lacked unity, further weakening their ability to resist Whig dominance.
Jacobitism: A political movement aiming to restore the deposed Stuart dynasty (particularly James II’s descendants) to the thrones of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
Jacobitism in Britain
Jacobitism remained a significant threat in the decades following 1714, fed by discontent with Whig rule and resentment at Hanoverian kingship.
Support was strongest in the Scottish Highlands, Catholic Ireland, and among some Tory landowners in England.
Jacobites aimed to restore the Stuarts, beginning with James Francis Edward Stuart, known as the “Old Pretender.”
Discontent was fuelled by taxation, war burdens, and the sense that Hanoverians were foreign rulers.
Jacobite Strategy
Jacobite leaders planned to exploit political crises and foreign wars by launching risings at moments when the Hanoverians seemed vulnerable.
France was often expected to support the Stuarts, though military backing was inconsistent.
Domestic support relied on clandestine organisation and promises of widespread rising, but in practice, these often fell short.
The 1715 Rising (“the ’15”)
The first major Jacobite attempt, known as the ’15 Rising, broke out shortly after George I’s accession.
Causes
The death of Queen Anne created uncertainty, with some believing James Francis Edward Stuart had a claim.
Tory discontent with exclusion from power encouraged conspiracies.
Supporters of the Stuarts in Scotland mobilised under the Earl of Mar.
Events
In September 1715, the Earl of Mar raised the Jacobite standard in Scotland.
Jacobites gained ground in the Highlands but failed to secure decisive momentum.
The planned English rising was weak, culminating in the Battle of Preston (November 1715).
Hand-coloured plan of Preston (9–14 November 1715) showing streets, barricades, and troop dispositions during the fighting. It clarifies the unique urban nature of the battle. Extra detail included: French-language labels and batteries not explicitly required by the syllabus. Source
In Scotland, the Battle of Sheriffmuir was indecisive, and Jacobite forces dispersed.
Outcome
James Francis Edward Stuart arrived too late to inspire the movement.
Government forces eventually suppressed the risings.
Leaders were executed or exiled, weakening the Jacobite cause in the short term.
The failure highlighted weaknesses: poor leadership, lack of unity, and reliance on foreign assistance.
The 1745 Rising (“the ’45”)
The second major rising, led by Charles Edward Stuart (the “Young Pretender” or “Bonnie Prince Charlie”), posed a far greater threat to the Hanoverian monarchy.
Causes
France and Britain were at war in the War of the Austrian Succession, creating an opportunity for Jacobite action.
Dissatisfaction in the Highlands, combined with romantic loyalty to the Stuarts, revived the cause.
Charles persuaded France to offer tentative support, though direct military backing remained limited.
Events
In July 1745, Charles landed in Scotland and quickly gained Highland support.
The Jacobite army captured Edinburgh and won a dramatic victory at Prestonpans in September.
Emboldenzd, they marched into England, reaching as far south as Derby in December.
Map of Prince Charles Edward Stuart’s 1745–46 campaign routes, showing Jacobite and government movements, battles, and sieges. It highlights the southward advance to Derby and the retreat northwards. Extra detail included: some sieges and smaller encounters are shown beyond the syllabus requirements. Source
Hopes of widespread English support and French reinforcements failed to materialise, forcing retreat.
The decisive defeat came at the Battle of Culloden in April 1746, where government forces under the Duke of Cumberland crushed the Jacobites.
Simplified plan of the Battle of Culloden showing the skewed Jacobite front line and government deployment. It illustrates how concentrated musket and artillery fire broke the Highland charge. Extra detail included: unit-level labels go beyond the specification but aid clarity. Source
Consequences
The ’45 was the last serious Jacobite rising.
The aftermath was brutal: executions, transportations, and harsh reprisals against Highland communities.
The traditional clan system in the Highlands was dismantled, with disarmament, abolition of heritable jurisdictions, and bans on Highland dress.
Jacobitism as a political force effectively ended, though it lived on in cultural memory.
Clan system: The traditional social and kinship structure of the Scottish Highlands, with loyalty centred on clan chiefs.
Long-Term Significance
The Tory eclipse ensured that Whigs remained dominant in government until the 1760s, shaping policy and political culture.
The repeated defeat of Jacobitism secured the Hanoverian monarchy and Protestant succession.
Government actions after Culloden transformed Highland society and reduced future risks of rebellion.
Jacobitism left a powerful cultural and romantic legacy, influencing literature, identity, and politics in later centuries.
FAQ
Foreign support was inconsistent and often overpromised. France, in particular, showed interest because weakening Britain served its strategic goals.
In 1715, France was preoccupied with internal issues following Louis XIV’s death, so aid was minimal.
In 1745, Charles Edward Stuart received limited financial and naval backing, but promised French troops never materialised.
The absence of decisive foreign intervention left Jacobites reliant on local resources and enthusiasm.
The clan system ensured loyalty and rapid mobilisation of Highland men for Stuart causes. Chiefs held traditional authority, and kinship ties reinforced commitment.
However, this strength also exposed Jacobitism’s limits. Support was regionally concentrated, and many Lowland Scots and Englishmen viewed Highland forces as outsiders.
After Culloden, government measures deliberately dismantled the system to prevent further organised risings.
Government propaganda painted Jacobites as dangerous, disloyal, and Catholic-aligned enemies of Protestant Britain.
Pamphlets and newspapers emphasised their ties to France and Rome.
Visual caricatures ridiculed the Stuarts as foreign pretenders.
This portrayal helped consolidate support for the Hanoverians by framing the conflict as one between liberty and tyranny, Protestant stability and Catholic absolutism.
Exclusion from government forced Tories into political stagnation. For decades, Whigs dominated offices, royal favour, and patronage networks.
The Tory eclipse meant:
Tories were marginalised in policy-making.
Accusations of Jacobitism dogged them, limiting their ability to broaden appeal.
Whig dominance shaped parliamentary culture, reinforcing Hanoverian stability.
It was only later, under George III, that Tories began to recover.
Geography shaped both Jacobite advantages and weaknesses.
In 1715, the Highlands gave safe ground to gather forces but limited expansion into England.
In 1745, rapid Highland marches and surprise tactics secured early victories, but extending supply lines into England proved difficult.
Flat terrain at Culloden in 1746 neutralised Highland charges, favouring government artillery and disciplined lines.
Thus, landscape and terrain played a decisive role in both failure and suppression.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks):
Identify two reasons why the Tories lost political influence after 1714.
Mark Scheme:
1 mark for each correct reason identified (maximum 2 marks).
Acceptable answers include:Suspected Jacobite sympathies weakened their trustworthiness.
George I distrusted them and favoured the Whigs.
Their opposition to war with France made them appear unpatriotic.
Internal division weakened their unity.
Question 2 (5 marks):
Explain why the Jacobite rising of 1745 advanced further into England than the rising of 1715.
Mark Scheme:
Award marks for explaining reasons, up to 5 marks in total:
1 mark: Reference to effective leadership of Charles Edward Stuart compared with the weak leadership of the Earl of Mar.
1 mark: Mention of early victories in 1745 (e.g. Prestonpans) which boosted morale and momentum.
1 mark: The Jacobites in 1745 captured Edinburgh and gained significant Highland support, unlike in 1715.
1 mark: The 1715 rising was poorly coordinated, with limited English backing and an indecisive battle at Sheriffmuir.
1 mark: In 1745, the march south reached Derby due to better planning and initial momentum, despite eventual retreat.
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