1. Political Revolution in England
English Civil War
&
Glorious Revolution
Charles I
Charles II
Oliver Cromwell
William & Mary
James II

2. The Magna Carta (1215)
What: A signed contract between English nobles & the King of England written in medieval times.
Importance: Established the idea that the King had limited (not absolute) power and that even the King needed to govern according to agreed upon law.
Established basic legal rights for all citizens (“Rights of Englishmen”)
King must ask for popular consent for taxes (“Power of the Purse”)
Eventually led to the establishment of British Parliament (law making branch of government)

3. England’s Limited Absolute Monarchy (after Magna Carta)
British kings rule with checks & balances to power
English Kings still resisted
sharing power!
Henry VIII breaks from Catholic Church and seeks to
increase the power of the British monarchy in late 1500’s

4. Conflict in England Between Crown & Parliament
Elizabeth I dies 1603 with no heirs
Frequent conflicts with Parliament over $$
Amasses large debts & needed help from Parliament
James I (Scottish cousin) assumes throne
Felt he had absolute power
Conflicts with Parliament over money, religion & power
“Kings are justly called Gods, for that….they
exercise a manner…of a divine power upon earth”
James I

5. Tensions Increase Under Charles I
In 1625 James I dies, Charles I (son) assumes throne
Several times Charles I dissolves Parliament
when it refused his requests for more £. He imposes many fees & fines on the English people…hurts his popularity.
Finally, in 1628, Charles is forced to accept the Petition of Right, but he later ignores these promises to Parliament…
Parliament is angry!

6. Petition of Right [1628]
What: New law which further limited King’s power to tax, imprison, house soldiers and make rules during peace time.
Importance: Charles I ignores new law
Between 1629 and 1642 England falls into conflict over the power of the King versus that of Parliament (led by Puritan Oliver Cromwell)
Parliament makes laws that even the King must follow!
My power is absolute!

7. English Civil War ( )
Charles I fights to maintain absolute power supported by Royalists or Cavaliers
Oliver Cromwell leads Roundheads in fight against King’s forces
Cromwell’s New Model Army victorious by 1646 and takes King prisoner.
Charles I brought to trial for treason in 1649
Charles is executed after trial
Cromwell assumes power

8. Oliver Cromwell What is ironic about Cromwell’s rule?
Oliver Cromwell
Puritan leader rules England
Attempts to impose strict religious morals on England
Helped write a republican Constitution, but eventually ignored it
Grew increasingly unhappy with Parliament and then dissolved it
Eventually ruled as military dictator until his death in 1658
He was replaced by a new King Charles II (“Restoration”)
What is
ironic about
Cromwell’s rule?

9. The Impact of Enlightenment Ideas
Charles II rules after Cromwell’s death in 1658
During the Restoration there is more freedom for people
Ex: Habeas Corpus Act is passed
Prisoners had the right to be reviewed before a Judge
Judges (not King) decided whether a prisoner should stand trial
The King could not just put someone in jail for questioning his authority

10. “Glorious Revolution”(1688)
Catholic James II replaces Charles II…angers Protestant British
James II has daughter Mary (Protestant) who marries Dutchman William of Orange
Parliament invites
William & Mary
to replace
James II
Political Importance: William & Mary agree to fully recognize the power of Parliament and authorize a
Bill of Rights & Constitutional Monarchy

11. More clearly limits royal power
English Bill of Rights
More clearly limits royal power
No suspending of Parliaments laws
No levying of taxes without Parliament approval
No interfering with freedom of speech
No penalty for peaceful protesting of grievances

12. Constitutional Monarchy (1689)
England becomes a
Constitutional Monarchy (1689)
After 1689 no monarch could rule without Parliaments consent
Cabinet developed as a way to share law making power between the King and Parliament. Cabinet leaders called “ministers” ceremonially chosen by King (with consent of Parliament) and represent the majority party of Parliament.
The leader of Parliament became known as the Prime Minister
Foundation for the current government of England!