Prime Factors - Ranking UK Prime Ministers

As Grafton’s government collapsed, Lord North became the last "adult in the room". He lacked the charisma and wealth of his predecessors, but somehow held Britain’s government together better than anyone expected. He navigated crisis after crisis, even winning Chatham's grudging praise: "This tenure seems to be a good one."

Shame about all that tea in Boston Harbor.

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By 1770, Boston was a city under siege. British Redcoats patrolled the streets while patriot groups like the Sons of Liberty fought a shadow war against British taxation. Tensions rose to a breaking point in March 1770 in an event that some call the first shots of the American Revolution: The Boston Massacre. We attempt to tell the story... from the British perspective.

In far away London, a newly minted Prime Minister North is just settling into his new role.

And check out Abram's new music podcast: Prime Factors Music at www.primefactorsmusic.com or your podcast app of choice.

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They might not have been bigger than Jesus, but they certainly were bigger than Robert Walpole, William Pitt, or Harold Wilson: they were "The Beatles". In this very special episode, Abram takes the microphone and whisks us into a magical mystery tour of Beatles history from their start as the Quarrymen to a very special rooftop concert, and all of the multi-colored aquatic conveyances in between.

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Frederick North spent his childhood in the Leicester House orbit as a playmate of the young George III, a boy with whom he shared an uncanny resemblance. As an adult, he proved himself a man of order, conviction, and fiscal diligence. After a decade of unstable governments, George III called on his old companion to steady the ship of state. But with Britain facing imperial crisis and Boston nearing a deadly confrontation, could a “competent administrator” stop a revolution?

Featuring a trailer for the Grand Dukes of the West podcast.

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By 1770, Britain is a restless empire—troubled at home, strained abroad, and on the brink of a new era. In this special episode, we trace the leaders and events that shaped British politics over the past fifty years: from Robert Walpole’s "notorious corruption" to Henry Pelham’s steady hand, and the uneasy balance between King George III, Parliament, and this new thing called "Prime Minister". The empire had doubled in size in a generation, but with a spark about to ignite in snowy Boston that will change everything.

New to Prime Factors? This is the perfect place to start as we begin our journey into the era of Lord North and the American Revolution.

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Britain is in crisis: Rioters in London scream "Wilkes and Liberty!", while the French threaten to take Corsica from the British-backed rebels. The conservative Bedford faction gains ground in Parliament, while Junius savages the administration with his wisdom and wit. Where is Prime Minister Grafton? Has anyone seen our Prime Minister?

(He's probably off with his mistress.)

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Descended from an illegitimate son of Charles II, the Grafton clan seemed to embrace the ignominy, leading lives rocked in equal parts by political power and scandal. Augustus Fitzroy led a comfortable life filled with horses, hunting, and... women, but when duty called, could he put aside his family's proclivities to be the leader that Britain desperately needed?

Thanks to our fantastic podcasting friends who contributed to this episode's "Picture This" segment: John and Rob from Prime Time, Rob from Totalus Rankium, and Kassidy from YouTube. A friend of the show, Adam, also provided some incidental music.

Also includes a trailer for the Alexander Standard podcast.

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The Seven Years' War bought Britain an empire but at a staggering price. The Americans cried out "No Taxation Without Representation!" even as Britain struggled to pay to maintain her new territory. Grenville and Rockingham's missteps had pushed the colonists to the brink. It would take a true man of the people, a "Great Commoner", like William Pitt to restore calm. If only his gout wasn't acting up...

Part Three in our trilogy on William Pitt the Elder, 1st Earl of Chatham. 

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"The Death of the Earl of Chatham" painting by John Singleton Copley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Death_of_the_Earl_of_Chatham

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