1. Political Revolution in England
English Civil War
&
Glorious Revolution
See slides and then answer
reflection prompt for NB #2
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. English Kings still resisted
Officially, England Has a Limited Absolute Monarchy (after the Magna Carta)
Limited
Monarchy
British kings rule with checks & balances to power as described in Magna Carta
English Kings still resisted
sharing power!
Ex: Henry VIII breaks from Catholic Church and seeks to
increase his own power (and that of monarchy) in late 1500’s

4. Conflict in England Between Monarchs & 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 because of “divine right”
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 (married to a Catholic)
Several times Charles I dissolves (tells them to go home) Parliament when it refused his requests for more money. To pay debts, Charles I imposes many fees & fines on the English people. Also, many religious Protestants (called “Puritans”) distrust Charles as pro-Catholic. All this hurts his popularity greatly.
In 1628, Charles I asks Parliament for money again and is forced to accept the Petition of Right, but he later ignores these promises to Parliament…Parliament is angry!

6. Charles I: My power is absolute!
Petition of Right [1628]
What: Promises by Charles I limiting the King’s power to tax, imprison, house soldiers and make rules during peace time.
Importance: Charles I ignores promises (but revises the idea that a monarchs power is not absolute)
Between 1629 and 1642 England falls into conflict over the power of the King versus that of Parliament (led by Puritan Oliver Cromwell)
Oliver Cromwell and most of Parliament: Parliament makes laws that even the King must follow!
Charles I: 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 publicly after trial
Shows that royal power not “divine”
Cromwell assumes power

8. Oliver Cromwell What is ironic about Cromwell’s rule?
Puritan leader rules England for 9 years after execution of Charles I
Attempts to impose strict Puritan 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
Parliament asks Charles II (son of executed Charles I) to “restore” monarchy
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. William & Mary to replace happens with no violence
“Glorious Revolution”(1688)
Catholic James II (brother) replaces Charles II…angers Protestant British
James II has daughter Mary (Protestant) who marries Dutch Protestant William of Orange
Parliament invites
William & Mary to replace
Exiled James II…
transition of power
happens with no violence
Importance: William & Mary agree to fully recognize the power of Parliament ending absolute monarchy in England and agree to 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!

13. NB#2: English Political Revolution Reflection
Pick any FOUR people or events described in the slides.
Rank them in order of importance (1 = most important) in understanding how England transitioned from an Absolute Monarchy to a Constitutional Monarchy during the 1600’s.
Write a paragraph explaining why you ranked the people/events the way you did.