ABSTRACT
The accession of George I in 1714 transformed the nature of the public debate as well as the contents of ministerial politics. Because, while initially continuing the Tory policy of 1713-14, the new reign led rapidly to what appeared to be, and indeed was, an unprecedented level of sustained peacetime Continental interventionism. It had proved relatively easy for ministerial supporters during the War of the Spanish Succession to present the wartime commitment against France in terms of national interests. Domestic issues were of far less consequence in this ministerial rationale, with the exception of the royal succession in the House of Hanover and the related Protestant interest. Both of which were related to the security of the post-Revolution British system as well as being aspects of Britain's international position and, therefore, foreign policy. European power politics were crucial to this rivalry until 1754 and from 1784.
