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

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

3. 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

4. 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**

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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)

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

10. 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

11. End of Absolute Monarchy
Civil War ( ) 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

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

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

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

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

16. 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”

17. Charles II

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

19. 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

20. 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

21. James II

22. 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

23. 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

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

25. The Reign of James II
James fled without a fight

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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