You're listening to an airwave media podcast. Hello and thank you for joining the American Revolution.

Today episode 26 the town synax.

So last week I discussed some of the various happenings in the colonies following the Stamp Act repeal.

I want to begin this week by discussing a few of the changes in Britain,

specifically the ongoing game of musical chairs in running the government.

With his Stamp Act repeal in 1766,

Prime Minister Rockingham seemed to have settled the crisis in the colonies, at least temporarily.

Even so, he could not form a stable long-term government.

From the beginning, he had been a compromise appointment because William Pitt demanded too much autonomy as a condition of him serving as Prime Minister.

Rockingham had picked several great men to work for him.

He had even hired a young up-and-comer named

Edmund Burke as his private secretary. But his ministers were largely pit supporters,

and Rockingham never got the loyalty he needed to maintain a government.

Rockingham also owed his appointment to the Duke of Cumberland.

You may recall from episode 9,

the King's uncle had been banished from politics by George

the 2nd after his military defeat during the 7 years war. George the 3rd

however, who was still in his late 20s, had relied on his uncle as an experienced advisor.

Cumberland had advocated Rockingham's appointment, and when Cumberland died in October

1765, Rockingham lost a valuable supporter.

Now King George understood that Pitt was a major force in Parliament.

He had already tried on numerous occasions to convince Pitt to form a government.

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