ABSTRACT
The end of the war with Spain left the British ministry in a less vulnerable international position, which minimized the political options for the opposition, although continued poor relations with Spain still created international and domestic problems. The ministry claimed credit for the bringing of peace. During the international and political crisis of the late 1710s, the British ministry and its supporters had prided themselves on their ability to borrow large sums and at a good rate of interest. In Britain, the domestic basis for a stable foreign policy was absent both before and after the Whig Renewal or reconciliation. Despite the latter, there was still serious division in the ministry, opposition within the political process, and wider questions of political stability. The new Whig alliance brought disunity into the ministry, because the ministerial settlement had not been accepted by Sunderland. He was intent on continuing as chief minister, both then and thereafter, he and Walpole struggled for dominance.
