Hello and welcome to a history of the United States.

Episode 123, Connecticut invades Wyoming.

There were many consequences of the Treaty of Paris. There were long-term ones, such as pushing Prussia,

away from Britain and towards Russia, something which would lead to the partitions of Poland.

There were medium-term consequences, such as the financial crisis, which would, over the next few years, lead to Louis XIV's clashes with the Parliament and a series of taxes he would dream up, and then there were shorter ones, such as the

collapse of Butte's ministry.

I think the best that can be said of Butte is that he wasn't qualified for the job.

He lacked the mental strength to be Prime Minister.

After plotting for years to get the job, he hesitated

when George III offered it, which should say everything you need to know. He was deeply unpopular.

For one, he was Scottish. Our old friend, Henry Fox, had the following to say about the Scottish.

Every man has, at some time or other, found a Scotchman in his way, and everybody has therefore damned the Scotch, and this hatred, their excessive nationality, has continually inflamed.

End quote.

While he was, of course, talking about the 18th century,

this doesn't seem too out of character

with how the Conservative Party treats the SNP today.

The Treaty of Paris was arguably the most favourable peace treaty the British ever achieved.

But Pitt claimed the British had returned too much.

While this line of reasoning didn't persuade MPs, it certainly persuaded the public.

Butte had been the person who ended the reign of the Walpolean Wigs, which had made him many enemies within Parliament.

He was viewed as merely a royal favourite who didn't deserve the job, which was true.

Butte received piles of abuse, and finally couldn't take it, resigning in April 1763.

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