England’s Struggle to End Absolutism English Civil War England’s Struggle to End Absolutism

Background-”Absolutism” in England King Henry II Jury trials established “Common Law”: a single legal system “common” to the whole country

King John—1215 Magna Carta: guaranteed people certain political rights Put limits on the monarchy Due process: the king could not unfairly punish the people No taxation without consent of the Parliament

Queen Elizabeth Had frequent conflicts with Parliament Parliament: lawmaking body in charge of handing out the money for the government **Rulers saw Parliament’s financial power as an obstacle to becoming an absolute monarch**

Path to Democracy King James I Ruled after Elizabeth James believed he had absolute authority to rule and did not need the consent of Parliament Parliament was reluctant to pay for James’ expensive court and foreign wars Died in 1625 and his son Charles I came to the throne

The Reign of James I Believed in divine right Did not support Puritans who wanted to “purify” the Church of England Mother was the Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots

Charles I Always needed more money for wars against Spain and France Several times Parliament refused to give him money As a result, Charles got rid of Parliament

The Reign of Charles I Signed the Petition of Right in 1628 giving rights to Parliament He would not imprison subjects without cause He would not levy taxes without the consent of Parliament He would not house soldiers in private homes Charles ultimately ignored this document Dissolved Parliament when they did not give him money Appointed William Laud as Archbishop of Canterbury and he persecuted Puritans (the Great Migration)

Charles’ popularity went way down, and the country erupted into Civil War

The Reign of Charles I Parliament called back because Charles needed money Parliament refused to consent to new taxes unless Charles agreed to share power with Parliament Charles once again dissolves Parliament (uses soldiers!!!!) and tries to arrest its leaders

End of Absolute Monarchy Civil War (1642-1649) between Cavaliers and Roundheads By 1644—no one was winning, until the Puritans named Oliver Cromwell as a new general Parliamentary forces under Oliver Cromwell defeat forces loyal to Charles

End of Absolute Monarchy Charles is tried for treason for making war against his own people 1649 - Charles I executed The first time a king was tried and executed in public No English monarch would again claim absolute power

From 1642-1649– supporters and opponents of King Charles fought English Civil War From 1642-1649– supporters and opponents of King Charles fought Supporters=Royalists or Cavaliers Opponents=Puritans (loyal to Parliament)

Oliver Cromwell At first—Cromwell abolished the monarchy and established a republican form of government

Oliver Cromwell (1653-1658) Rump Parliament - ineffective and corrupt Cromwell dissolved the Rump Parliament (used soldiers!!) Became “Lord Protector” (NOT KING!!!!) Established Puritan dictatorship

Oliver Cromwell Dies in 1658 His son, Richard, unable to hold onto power 1660 – A new Parliament restores the monarchy under Charles I’s son, Charles II Called “The Restoration”

Charles II 1660 - 1685

The Reign of Charles II Religion Passed Clarendon Code which limited the rights of Catholics Vowed never to convert to Catholicism

The Reign of Charles II Relationship with Parliament Constitutional Monarchy - monarch’s power limited by a constitution Act of Habeas Corpus - established guaranteed legal rights of individuals

First political parties begin Charles had no son, so there was a fight over who would rule next The Tories supported Charles’ brother, James The Whigs opposed James These were the first two political parties

James II 1685 - 1688

He was Charles II’s brother The Reign of James II He believed in the “divine right” of kings (like his father and grandfather) He was Charles II’s brother

The Reign of James II Religion Appointed Catholics to government and university positions Converted to Catholicism and pledged his son would also rule as a Catholic monarch

The Reign of James II Glorious Revolution Parliament encourages William of Orange and his wife Mary II to invade England (both were also Protestant)

The Reign of James II James fled without a fight

Glorious Revolution Because there was no bloodshed between the change of rulers this is known as the Glorious Revolution when William & Mary take the throne

POLITICAL CHANGES William and Mary recognized Parliament’s power, creating a constitutional monarchy, where laws limit the power of the monarchy 1689: Bill of Rights signed to help define the limits placed on royal power No suspending of Parliament or its laws No levying taxes without Parliament’s permission Free Speech

More Political Changes… Cabinet system developed To avoid a standstill between Parliament and the monarch, a third branch of government was created Cabinet: in charge of policymaking and is headed by the Prime Minister