On this day in 1783: A 24-year-old is made British Prime Minister

Britain’s political landscape was in turmoil after losing the American colonies. Between 1782 and 1783, four prime ministers came and went in quick succession. The instability left the government struggling to find stable leadership during a period of crisis.

The chaos began in March 1782 when Lord North resigned. King George III took a month to accept his departure. The Marquess of Rockingham was then asked to form a government but died just 97 days later.

The Earl of Shelburne took over but faced immediate problems. Two leading Whigs quit his administration, weakening his position. Despite this, Shelburne managed to secure peace deals with America, France, and Spain. However, a coalition led by Fox and North opposed him at every turn. By December 1783, the King had dismissed Portland, Fox, and North after their India Bill failed in the House of Lords. With no clear successor, the King turned to an unlikely candidate: 24-year-old William Pitt the Younger. Pitt had already served as Chancellor of the Exchequer under Shelburne, but his youth and lack of a Commons majority made his appointment controversial. Many doubted he could last, especially since he refused to include North in his government. Yet Pitt defied expectations. His administration not only survived but thrived, lasting 17 years. Under his leadership, Britain navigated the Revolutionary Wars with France and rebuilt its finances.

Pitt’s appointment marked the end of Britain’s rapid succession of short-lived governments. His long tenure brought stability after years of political upheaval. The country’s finances and foreign policy were reshaped under his leadership, setting a course for the decades ahead.