The Hanoverians (1714-1837) - CED00233C

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  • Department: Centre for Lifelong Learning
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

Under the Hanoverians, from the accession of George I to the accession of Queen Victoria, Britain expanded its colonial Empire, was home to the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions and developed a vibrant artistic, social and scientific culture. Were the Hanoverians “Enlightened” monarchs with a new style of rational government? Or were they boorish incompetents who failed to keep the American colonies, imposed draconian penal codes on the masses and transferred their governmental responsibilities to prime ministers? Who were these Hanoverian monarchs and how did their actions shape our modern world?

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Summer Term 2024-25

Module aims

The focus of this module is on exploring the influence of the Hanoverian monarchs on the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries and their legacy. Under the Hanoverians, from the accession of George I to the accession of Queen Victoria, Britain expanded its colonial Empire, was home to the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions and developed a vibrant artistic, social and scientific culture. This module will explore whether the Hanoverians were “Enlightened” or “Romantic” monarchs with a new style of rational government, or boorish incompetents who failed to keep the American colonies, imposed draconian penal codes on the masses and transferred their governmental responsibilities to their prime ministers. This module will also explore the key themes of the Hanoverian period including: empire, colonialism, slavery and its abolition, economic change, mercantilism, art, architecture and political change.

Module learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

  • Discuss how historians have viewed the Hanoverian period and monarchs
  • Evaluate the impact of the Hanoverian monarchs on the political, social, cultural, religious and economic changes of the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries
  • Explain the key themes of the Hanoverian period
  • Critically analyse primary sources and secondary sources.

Module content

Indicative content

Wk 1-2: The 1688 Succession Crisis and the Act of Union

Wk 3-4: George I, Voltaire, Walpole and Kensington Palace

Wk 5-6: George II the colonies and the Jacobites

Wk 7-8: George III, economic change, regency crisis. Loss of America and the French Revolution

Wk 9 -10: “Prinny” George IV & the Regency, Peterloo and Buckingham Palace

Wk 11: William IV ( “Silly Billy” ) and Victoria - the dawn of a new age

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

The tutor will give regular individual verbal and written feedback throughout the module on work submitted.

The assessment feedback is as per the university’s guidelines with regard to timings.

Indicative reading

  • Black, Jeremy; George III : America's last king
  • Gestrich, Andreas; and Schaich Michael; eds. The Hanoverian Succession: Dynastic Politics and Monarchical Culture
  • Harris, Carolyn; The Hanoverian Consorts: Enlightenment and Empire
  • Hatton, Ragnhild Marie; George I
  • O’Gorman, Frank; The Long Eighteenth Century: British Political and Social History 1688–1832
  • Randall, Adrian; Riotous Assemblies : Popular Protest in Hanoverian England
  • Roberts, John L; The Jacobite Wars: Scotland and the Military Campaigns of 1715 and 1745
  • Simms, Brendan; & Riotte, Torsten; eds. The Hanoverian dimension in British history, 1714-1837
  • Sirota, Brent S; Macinnes, Peter Thomas; eds. The Hanoverian Succession in Great Britain and its Empire
  • Smith, E. A.; George IV
  • Thomas, Peter; George III : King and Politicians 1760-1770