Tory Reactions

The Whig’s moment in power was relatively brief, yet during their governance they enacted or attempted to enact sweeping policy changes for the British nation and the empire. These actions were not without protests, however, from Tory members invested financially and philosophically in Stuart policies of hereditary status and absolutism. The Whigs had a quasi-ally in William III, who implemented many of the reforms they sought. But the ascension of Queen Anne upon William’s death saw the return to, and expansion of, Stuart policies. A succession crisis on the European continent opened the door for Anne and the Tories to expand their slavery operation–as a result of the War of Spanish Succession the English were granted the Spanish “Assiento,” the exclusive right to supply slaves to Spanish colonial territories. With this treaty, the English slave trade boomed. Yet while the Tories made in-roads into reestablishing Stuart policies in the early 18th century, their actions were not without protest either. Whigs objected to the Assiento, but with the return of Stuart policies they were forced to mask their criticism to avoid censorship and sedition charges.

Robert Harley’s investigations into Bacon’s Rebellion (1676-1705)

Cato by Joseph Addison 1712