Charles Townshend
Charles Townshend was a Whig politician and member of the House of Lords,
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History
Townshend was the eldest son of Horatio Townshend, baron of Townshend. Horatio was furthermore created viscount of Townshend in 1682. He died in 1687, leaving Charles to inherit the title and enter the House of Lords.
Townshend joined Anne's privy council in 1707. He also served as an ambassador to the Netherlands from 1709 to 1711.
With the Hanoverian succession and a Whig victory in 1714 elections, Townshend entered government. Furthermore, after Montagu died in 1715, he became the nominal leader.
Stanhope and Compton led an opposite faction that, by 1717, succeeded in gaining favor. Townshend was dismissed from government and launched a Whig opposition, starting the Whig Split. During this period, Walpole emerged as the new leader of their faction.
The split healed after about three years, and Townshend returned to government.
Over time, Walpole and Townhend became advocates for opposite foreign policies. Walpole sought closer relations with Austria, while Townshend sought to maintain ties with the Netherlands. Townshend lost the power struggle and resigned in 1730.