-The English Civil War-

I. Dating back to the Magna Carta, England had a history of limited monarchy A. By the 1500s Parliament’s power had grown B. Henry VIII and Elizabeth both maintained good relationships with Parliament C. When Elizabeth died, the Tudor dynasty ended because she had no heir

II. James I (James Stuart) A. James I inherited the throne 1. He came from Scotland and knew little of English politics B. James I supervised a new translation of the bible 1. This is called the King James Bible

C. James I believed in divine right 1. “Kings are called Gods because they sit upon God’s throne on earth” 2. James I believed his power was limitless D. James I clashed with Parliament on three issues

1. Religion – Many members of Parliament were Puritans 1. Religion – Many members of Parliament were Puritans. They wanted the Anglican Church purified of Catholic practices. They also wanted autonomy for local congregations. James I refused

2. Money – James I had excessive spending habits 2. Money – James I had excessive spending habits. He needed money for debts from previous wars. Parliament refused and James I sought alternative revenue a. Customs and fines 3. Foreign Policy – Parliament criticized James I for making peace with Catholic Spain

III. Charles I A. Like his father, Charles I believed in divine right B. Charles I needed money, but Parliament refused until he signed the Petition of Right. Charles made several promises: 1. No more forced loans 2. No new taxes without the consent of Parliament 3. No imprisonment without cause 4. No housing soldiers in private homes

C. After receiving funds, Charles disbanded Parliament and ignored the Petition of Right D. Charles and his appointed officials, such as Archbishop of Canterbury William Laud, persecuted Puritans E. Charles established special royal courts that did not follow common law or use juries

F. In 1637 Charles I tried to force Scotland to drop the Presbyterian Church and adopt the Anglican Church 1. In response, Scotland invaded England 2. After 11 years of absence, Charles I was forced to summon Parliament in order to raise money for the war

IV. The Long Parliament (met from 1640 until 1660) A. Before giving Charles I money, Parliament demanded the trial of Archbishop Laud and the Earl of Stafford for abuse of power 1. Both were found guilty and executed

B. Parliament abolished the new royal courts C. Parliament passed a bill that declared Charles I a tyrant D. After Charles I attempted to arrest five members of Parliament, civil war began

V. English Civil War (1642-1649) A. Cavaliers – Supported the King B. Roundheads – Supported Parliament

C. In 1644, Puritan Oliver Cromwell led Parliament’s army 1. Cromwell’s new model army won several battles and captured Charles I in 1647 D. In 1649 Charles I was put on trial, found guilty, and executed E. The House of Commons abolished the House of Lords and the monarchy, and established a republic

VI. The Commonwealth A. Oliver Cromwell became leader of the English Republic

B. After the civil war, there were several divisive issues in England 1. Religious Issues – Cromwell favored religious toleration for Protestants, but not Catholics 2. Levellers – Demanded titles of nobility be abolished and wanted all men to have voting rights, not just property owners

C. In 1653, Cromwell disbanded Parliament and began ruling as a dictator 1. He gave himself the title ‘Lord Protector’ D. Cromwell enforced strict Puritan rules: 1. Theatres, newspapers, dancing, dueling, swearing, and taking a walk on Sunday were all made illegal

E. Cromwell crushed Scotland in war and encouraged Protestants to displace Catholic nobles in Ireland F. Cromwell’s rule became very unpopular 1. After his death, Parliament decided to restore the monarchy

-England Becomes a Limited Monarchy- I. The Restoration – Return of the Stuarts A. In 1660, Parliament asked Charles I’s son, Charles II, to return from exile in France and take the throne B. Charles II agreed to respect the Magna Carta and Petition of Right C. Charles II repealed many of Cromwell’s harsh laws D. Charles II favored Catholicism, but tolerated Protestants

E. Parliament did not want to tolerate Catholics and passed the Test Act 1. All people holding public office had to belong to the Anglican Church 2. Catholic and Protestant dissenters such as the Puritans were forbidden from entering the army, navy, or universities

F. Charles II signed a secret treaty with Louis XIV against the Dutch 1. England was able to increase its holdings in North America as a result

II. Political Parties A. Tories usually supported the king and Anglican Church B. Whigs usually wanted to strengthen Parliament and tolerate Protestants

C. Charles II had no heirs 1. The Whigs feared his brother James would try to make England Catholic 2. They attempted to pass the Exclusion Act to stop James from becoming king

D. The Tories defeated the Exclusion Act by accepting the Habeas Corpus Act 1. Prisoners had to be charged with a crime 2. Prisoners had to be given a trial 3. Prisoners could not be charged with the same crime twice

III. Glorious Revolution – A bloodless revolution A. In 1685, James II inherited the throne B. James wanted toleration for Catholics 1. He ignored the Test Act and placed Catholics in high government positions

C. At first, Parliament was not concerned because James II had no heirs 1. In 1688, when James II’s wife gave birth to a son, Parliament acted D. Parliament invited James II’s daughter, Mary, and her husband, Prince William of Orange (ruler of the Netherlands) to become English monarchs

E. James II realized he lacked support and fled England F. William and Mary agreed to sign a Bill of Rights which ensured Parliament’s power and English liberties

IV. English Bill of Rights A. The English Bill of Rights strengthened Parliament 1. Monarchs could not raise taxes or maintain an army without approval from Parliament 2. Monarchs could not suspend laws without the consent of Parliament 3. Monarchs could not interfere in elections

B. The Bill of Rights protected the rights of individuals 1. Trial by jury 2. Outlawed cruel and unusual punishment 3. Limited bail C. The Bill of Rights did not make England a true democracy 1. Few people could vote 2. Parliament members were not paid, so only the rich could afford to be members