论乔治三世个人专制终结的原因

The Causes for the Termination of George Ⅲ's Personal Despotism

18世纪后半叶,乔治三世通过强化君主权力、建立"国王之友"内阁,从而确立起个人专制统治。这一逆历史潮流而动的做法,在英国遭遇到各界的质疑和反对。威尔克斯事件的爆发、伯克等人的批判与乡绅请愿运动的兴起、北美殖民地的独立及其对英国的影响,从不同层面冲击着乔治三世的个人专制统治,最终促使乔治三世个人专制统治的终结。

In the second half of the eighteenth century, George III established his personal despotism by strengthening his royal power and the establishment of a cabinet known as the ＂king＇s friends＂. The practice was against the tide of histo- ry; therefore, George III was severely criticized and strongly opposed by people from all social circles in Britain. George III＇s personal despotism was affected by various factors from different aspects, including the outbreak of the John Wilkes Event, the criticism from people like Burke and the rise of the petition movements from the country squires, the inde- pendence movement of North America and its impact on Britain. All these factors facilitated the termination of George III＇s personal despotism.