Charles Watson-Wentworth
Charles Watson-Wentworth was a Whig politician and member of the House of Lords in Great Britain.
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History
Charles was the eldest surviving son of Thomas Watson-Wentworth, baron of Malton.
During the Jacobite rising led by Charles Edward Stuart, Watson-Wentworth led a volunteer force and fought under the command of William.
The next year, Thomas Watson-Wentworth was created marquess of Rockingham, enabling Charles Watson-Wentworth to use the courtesy title of earl of Malton. His father died in 1750, leaving him to inherit all titles. He assumed his seat in the House of Lords in 1752.
Watson-Wentworth was a Whig and supporter of Pelham-Holles. In 1762, he followed Pelham-Holles and resigned in protest against Stuart.
Watson-Wentworth was offered the opportunity to form government in 1765. He was forced to resign the next year, with Pitt regaining leadership.
Following the Battle of Yorktown, North lost a vote of no confidence and resigned. Watson-Wentworth was again offered leadership. He died in office just three months into this term.
Policies
Both of Watson-Wentworth terms in government leadership focused on the American colonies. In the first, he effected policies that sought to reconcile tensions without unbalancing the domestic balance of power. He repealed the Stamp Act, which had been a major demand of colonists. He also pushed through the Declaratory Act that affirmed the Parliament's power to legislate for the colonies.
In his short second term, most importantly, he acknowledged American independence.