First Newcastle ministry

First Newcastle ministry

Cabinet of Great Britain
1754 – 1756
Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle, was prime minister and led the government.
Date formed16 March 1754 (1754-03-16)
Date dissolved11 November 1756 (1756-11-11)
People and organisations
MonarchGeorge II
Prime MinisterThomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle
Member party
  •   Whigs
Status in legislatureMajority
Opposition party
Opposition leader
History
Election1754 general election
Legislature terms1754–1761
PredecessorBroad Bottom ministry
SuccessorPitt–Devonshire ministry

From 1754 to 1756, Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle headed the government of Great Britain. After the death of the previous prime minister, his brother Henry Pelham, Newcastle had formed a new administration of Whigs. He remained in power until 1756 when his government collapsed following the fall of Minorca and the fierce criticism that he had come under for his handling of the Seven Years' War that was engulfing Europe.

Among the most influential members of the first Newcastle ministry was Henry Fox, who served as Leader of the House of Commons from November 1755, having initially entered the Cabinet in his earlier position of Secretary at War in December 1754.