The Fight for Democracy and the English Civil War SS9 – Chapter 2

Chapter Objectives By the end of the chapter, you will be able to: Explain how a conflict over the rights of parliament could develop into a civil war Explain the reasons for colonialism Compare the motives of the Royalists to those of the Roundheads Compare forms of government – republics, constitutional monarchies and absolute monarchies Explain how religion influenced events in England from 1600 to 1648

Intro Democracy – government controlled by the people who live under it Has not always been around – Magna Carta signed in 1215 paved the way by guaranteeing people civil rights Rule in England went from: monarchs respecting parliament  Stuarts & conflict with parliament  civil war & republic  constitutional monarchy (monarchy where monarch rules according to constitution and laws of the nation

English Society in the 17th Century Became a colonizing nation after defeat of Spanish Armada  settling and controlling lands of others (eg: North America, India, South Africa) Business and agriculture grew, entrepreneurs (business owners) found many opportunities

Religion England mostly Protestant, with many different congregations and ways of worshipping Official church = Church of England (Anglican) with King as its head Services were elaborate, richly decorated buildings - Please complete question #1

Religion Puritans = dissenting Protestants Opposed to ceremonies and decorations of Anglican Church (dissent = to differ in opinion, disagree) Puritans were Calvinists – believed church services should be plain and simple Calvinist Blue Laws outlawed things like Christmas, dancing, sports and theater Believed life should be devoted to God

Witches! Puritans were suspicious of women Believed – women were responsible for original sin (state of sin people live in because Eve caused Adam to disobey God’s will) 17th century – witch hunts began – 100s of people persecuted and executed for witchcraft Most were innocent – women who did not marry (misfits), or who knew about medicinal plants (wise women), or old women who lived alone with a pet Witch-hunting = very profitable business!

‘Witches’ were drowned, hanged, burned or pressed to death WHY did witch-hunting occur? Witch-hunts can show us what? How easily human emotion and fear can destroy institutions society has established to protect people

Before James I Parliament – used by king to consult with powerful people of land After Magna Carta: King can’t introduce taxes without parliament consent Person accused of a crime had right to trial 1295 – had House of Lords and House of Commons (wealthy landowners elected to represent people of poverty)

The Early Stuarts James VI (6th) of Scotland became James I of England after Elizabeth I He was a Stuart and disliked the democratic tradition of England – preferring to rule as an absolute monarch  king with unlimited powers Introduced idea of ‘Divine Right of Kings’ into England – very unpopular idea where king believes powers come straight from God Son – Charles I – also believed in this

Charles I Also believed in ‘Divine Right of Kings’ Unwilling to compromise with parliament Looked for ways to rule without parliament and to raise money for extravagant lifestyle EX: Brought back ship money – ancient fee where people had to pay the king to provide warships for navy Collected customs fees “tunnage & poundage”

Charles VS. Parliament Parliament refused to give Charles money for soldiers to stop revolt of Scots New parliament called: “Long Parliament” called for removal of Charles’ advisors planned to pass “Grand Remonstrance” which would remove many of king’s powers This divided parliament – so Charles invaded House of Commons (umm kind of against the law…) and tried to arrest the leaders Radicals escaped, called for an army  open rebellion What might this lead to? What would happen if Stephen Harper invaded our House of Commons and tried to arrest the leaders? Complete Question #2

Civil War Civil war broke out in England in 1642 – for 7 years! Charles supporters = Royalists/Cavaliers Mainly came from noble families Parliaments troops = local militia Farmers and townspeople with little experience in military Parliament and Scots made an alliance – new army of “Roundheads” (short haircut) Roundheads beat Royalists at 2 important battles and Charles was handed over to parliament Using pages 35-36, complete Question #3

Rump Parliament Many members left to fight for king leaving Puritans and Presbyterians in parliament Disagreed on powers of king (no monarchy vs. limited powers) Rebellions led to driving out of Presbyterian members leaving “Rump Parliament” Tried and executed king with treason

Republic Republic = country without a monarch Rump parliament had voted to abolish monarchy and House of Lords Supported by Roundhead army who attacked anyone refusing to support this Commonwealth

Lord Protector The Roundheads were led by Oliver Cromwell Disagreed with absolute power of the monarchs, but ended up becoming a dictator

Restoration After Cromwell dies, General Monk takes over Restores parliament with Charles II as king (with limitations… which he tries to overcome) Charles II tried to protect Catholics, but parliamenet passed the Test Act, making the Church of England supreme

Glorious Revolution Charles II dies and James II (a catholic!) is king James II consistently goes against the Test Act Parliament asked Mary (James II’s protestant daughter) and her husband William of Orange to become king and queen of England (= Glorious Revolution) Now complete questions 4 and 5