George Canning vs Hotta Masatoshi

Canning was appointed Foreign Secretary, a role he held until 1827. He pursued a policy of non-intervention in European affairs, recognized the independence of Latin American republics, and supported Greek independence from the Ottoman Empire.

As Foreign Secretary, Canning negotiated the Treaty of London with France and Russia, which demanded an armistice in the Greek War of Independence and offered mediation. This led to the eventual independence of Greece from the Ottoman Empire.

George Canning became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in April 1827, succeeding Lord Liverpool. His appointment was controversial due to his support for Catholic emancipation, leading several Tory ministers to resign.

Canning died on August 8, 1827, after only 119 days as Prime Minister, making his tenure the shortest in British history. His death was attributed to pneumonia or tuberculosis, and he was succeeded by Lord Goderich.

Canning advocated for the removal of legal restrictions on Roman Catholics in the United Kingdom. His stance caused a split in the Tory Party, with opponents like the Duke of Wellington refusing to serve under him.

Hotta Masatoshi was appointed tairo under Shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. He became the shogun's chief advisor and helped implement Tsunayoshi's policies, including the controversial Laws of Compassion regarding animal protection.

As tairo, Masatoshi helped enforce Tsunayoshi's edicts protecting dogs, horses, and other animals, which included severe punishments for violators. These laws caused hardship for commoners and were widely resented, but Masatoshi supported them as loyal advisor.

Hotta Masatoshi was stabbed to death in Edo Castle by a disgruntled junior official, Inaba Masayasu, who was then executed. The assassination shocked the shogunate and led to a purge of Inaba's faction, strengthening Tsunayoshi's authoritarian rule.