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George II (1727-60) succeeded his father, George I, on his death in 1727. The accession of the new king excited hopes amongst Walpole\'s opponents that he might be replaced. The first minister had acquired many enemies due to his powerful position and his policies. The king did not care for Walpole but Queen Caroline thought him sound, and persuaded her husband to retain him in government.Spain was becoming increasingly angry over the expansion of British trade and had been protesting repeatedly over Britain\'s supposed semi-piratical exploits. In 1731, a Captain Jenkins who had been carrying out illegal trade in the Spanish Colonies reversed the charge, claiming to have had his ear cut off by Spaniards at sea.
He later produced this ear in the House of Commons.Captain Jenkins may or may not have contributed to its outbreak, but by 1739, Britain was at war with Spain, and the conflict soon spread until Britain, Hanover and Austria were lined up against Spain and France. Walpole, incapable of coping with a conflict of this scale, resigned.Also during his reign, George II was victorious at the Battle of Dettingen, in 1743, during the War of the Austrian Succession. This was the last battle commanded by a British king. George II died in 1760 and was succeeded by his grandson, also George.
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