# Robert Walpole becomes dominant minister (1721)

URL: https://english-history.com/timeline/1721-robert-walpole-becomes-dominant-minister
Categories: ruler-change, main-event

Walpole emerged as the leading figure in government and is conventionally regarded as Britain's first prime minister. 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 1721 in the chronology so it can be read alongside the political, military, social and cultural changes around it. His long tenure helped establish cabinet government and the political importance of Commons management.

## Why it matters
His long tenure helped establish cabinet government and the political importance of Commons management.

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

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Robert Walpole becomes dominant minister](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Robert+Walpole+becomes+dominant+minister&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Robert Walpole becomes dominant minister](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Robert+Walpole+becomes+dominant+minister)
- [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/)