# Septennial Act extends parliamentary terms (1716)

URL: https://english-history.com/timeline/1716-septennial-act-extends-parliamentary-terms
Categories: main-event

Parliament increased the maximum life of a Parliament from three to seven years. Within the broader Georgian Britain period, parliamentary government, industrialization, imperial expansion, war with France and political reform turned Britain into a global commercial and military power. This event is placed at 1716 in the chronology so it can be read alongside the political, military, social and cultural changes around it. The change strengthened political stability but also intensified criticism of oligarchic government.

## Why it matters
The change strengthened political stability but also intensified criticism of oligarchic government.

Ruler at the time: [George I](https://english-history.com/rulers/george-i)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Septennial Act extends parliamentary terms](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Septennial+Act+extends+parliamentary+terms&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Septennial Act extends parliamentary terms](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Septennial+Act+extends+parliamentary+terms)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of British history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_British_history_%281700%E2%80%931799%29)
- [The National Archives — empire and industry resources](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/)