Parliament Limits the English Monarchy Chapter 5 Section 5 Learning Objective: Explain how the English Bill of Rights influenced the development of U.S. Democracy

From King James to King Charles James I died in 1625 and his son Charles I took the throne. Charles needs money for war with France. Parliament refuses to give him money so he dissolves it.

Petition of Rights Charles forced to call parliament for more money They make him sign the Petition of Rights In it he agrees to the following: 1.Not imprison subjects without due cause 2. Not levy taxes without Parliament’s consent 3. Not house soldiers in private homes. 4. Not impose martial law in peace time. He ignored it after signing but it set forth the idea that Parliament was higher than the king.

English Civil War In 1637 Charles starts religious war in Scotland. Charles needed money to fight them so he called Parliament once again. 1641 Parliament passes a law limiting royal power. Charles tries to arrest the leaders of Parliament but fails. A Mob rages in London so Charles leaves.

English Civil War Continued 1642-1649 was rages between those loyal to King Charles (called Cavaliers) against those opposed to him (called Roundheads) Called the English Civil War. In 1644 a Puritan general Oliver Cromwell joins the Roundheads - capture the king in 1647. In 1649 they publicly execute Charles. First public execution of a king.

Oliver Cromwell Abolishes monarchy and house of lords in 1649. Puts in place a commonwealth (a republic). In 1653 John Lambert writes the first European constitution. Cromwell destroys document and becomes a military dictator. He crushes a rebellion in Ireland, seizes Irish homes, and puts in place Puritan reforms in England (no theater, sports, or dancing). He rules until his death in 1658.

Habeas Corpus Tired of a dictator, Parliament asks Charles I son Charles II to return as king. Known as the Restoration. Charles II allows Parliament to pass the habeas corpus law (people must be brought before a judge and told their crime) Monarchs can no longer place people in jail for opposing them or hold prisoners indefinitely.

James II and the Glorious revolution Charles II dies in 1685 and his brother James becomes King James II. James II  Catholic Protestants not happy When his wife has a son the people of England fear a line of Catholic kings. James's daughter Mary is Protestant so Parliament asks her and her husband William of Orange the prince of the Netherlands to overthrow James. They agree and James flees to France. This bloodless take over is called the Glorious Revolution.

Limiting the Monarchy William and Mary recognize Parliament as their partner in governing England becomes a constitutional monarchy where laws limit the ruler’s power. Parliament drafts the English Bill of Rights in 1689. Rulers can not: 1. suspend Parliament’s laws. 2. levy taxes without a specific grant form Parliament. 3. interfere with freedom of speech in Parliament. 4. penalize citizens who petition the king about problems. William and Mary Agree to these limits and more.

The Cabinet System After 1688 no monarch can rule without the consent of Parliament. Parliament can not rule without the consent of the monarch. If they disagree nothing gets done! Problem solved in 1700 be developing a group of ministers who represent the monarch in parliament. They actually act as the representative of the majority party in Parliament. Their leader becomes known as the Prime Minister This system continues in England today.