The English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution

Why it matters now? Why are we studying this? Many of the government reforms of this period contributed to the democratic tradition of the United States.

Setting the Stage When Queen Elizabeth died in 1603, she left a huge debt for her successors to deal with.

Hey Parliament, I need more $$$$$$!! James’s Problems Hey Parliament, I need more $$$$$$!! James believed he had divine right to rule. Most of his struggles with Parliament were over money. Parliament refused to pay for his expensive court and foreign wars.

James also offended the Puritan members of Parliament James also offended the Puritan members of Parliament. He resented being told what to do by Parliament. Except for agreeing to a new translation of the Bible, he refused to make other Puritan reforms.

Charles I Fights Parliament Like father, like son… I need more cash!! Charles I Fights Parliament In 1625, James I died. Charles I, his son, took the throne. Like his dad, Charles always needed money, mostly because of his wars with Spain and France.

When Parliament refused to give him money, he dissolved Parliament! In 1628, Charles was forced to call Parliament. They refused to grant him money until he signed the Petition of Right. If you want money, you better sign this document!

By signing this, Charles I agreed to four points… a. No imprisonment without due cause b. No levying taxes without the consent of Parliament c. Not housing of soldiers in private homes d. No martial law in peacetime

We have to pay even more taxes now? Charles ignored this petition. The petition was significant because it set forth ideas that the law was higher than the king. Charles dissolved Parliament again. To get money, he imposed many fines and fees on the English people. We have to pay even more taxes now?

I’ll teach Parliament to go against me! War Topples a King During 1641 and 1642, Charles fought with Parliament. After a mob of angry Londoners attacked his palace, Charles fled to the north and raised an army. I’ll teach Parliament to go against me!

From 1642-1649 supporters and opponents of Charles fought in the English Civil War. Supporters of King Charles were called Royalists (Cavaliers). Opponents of Charles I were the Puritan (Roundheads). supporters of Parliament. They were led by Oliver Cromwell. Down with King Charles!!! Long live King Charles!!!

In 1646, Cromwell’s army defeated the Cavaliers In 1646, Cromwell’s army defeated the Cavaliers. In 1649, Charles I was put on trial for treason and executed. This was unusual because no reigning monarch had ever faced public trial and execution (beheaded). Damn you, Cromwell!

Cromwell’s Rule Call me Lord Protector! In 1649, Cromwell abolished the monarchy. He established a commonwealth, which means a republican form of government. Cromwell’s biggest challenge was a revolution in Ireland.

Puritan Morality Puritans sought to reform society. The abolished “sinful” activities, such as going to the theater. Cromwell favored religious toleration for all Christians except Catholics.

Cromwell died in 1658. Shortly thereafter, the government collapsed. Now we can party!

Charles II Reigns Let the good times roll! When Charles II entered London in 1660, people were celebrating. This period of history is known as the Restoration. Charles II restored the monarchy, and for the 1st time, women were allowed to appear in theater productions.

In 1679, Parliament passed a rule of habeas corpus In 1679, Parliament passed a rule of habeas corpus. This gives every prisoner a right to be brought before a judge. Because of the Habeas Corpus Act, a person could no longer be put in prison for opposing the ruler. Prisoners could not be held indefinitely without a trial.

James II and the Glorious Revolution When James II became king, he offended his subjects by flaunting his Catholicism. He also broke the law by appointing Catholics to office.

James had an older daughter named Mary who was a Protestant James had an older daughter named Mary who was a Protestant. Several members of the English Parliament invited Mary and her Dutch husband William to overthrow James II for the sake of Protestantism. Hey Bill -- wanna overthrow my dad and become the new king of England? Sure, honey! I have nothing else going on!

You realize we don’t have absolute power anymore, right? This bloodless overthrow is called the Glorious Revolution. William and Mary agreed to recognize Parliament as their partner in governing England. England was no longer an absolute monarchy, but was now a constitutional monarchy. Yeah – kinda sucks!

Bill of Rights This document listed many things that a ruler could NOT do. They could NOT… a. suspend Parliament’s laws b. levy taxes without the consent of Parliament c. interfere with freedom of speech in Parliament d. penalize a citizen who petitions the king about a grievance The English Bill of Rights was written to make clear the limits of royal power.

Cabinet System Develops After 1688, no British monarch could rule without consent of Parliament. At the same time, Parliament could not rule without the consent of the monarch. Monarch Parliament

If the two disagreed, government came to a standstill If the two disagreed, government came to a standstill. This was remedied by the development of the cabinet, a group of government advisors who became the link between the monarch and Parliament.

Habeas Corpus Act Says prisoners must be brought before a judge or court

English Bill of Rights Drafted in 1689, it made clear the limits of royal power.

Cabinet Group of advisors/ministers chosen by the monarch to help make decisions.

Why are these 3 things so important today? Habeas Corpus Bill of Rights Cabinet All of these concepts are a part of the American government today