Absolutism – England16.3

Objectives

1. Analyze how clashes between the Stuarts and Parliament ushered in a century of revolution.

2. Understand how the English Civil War led to the Glorious Revolution.

3. Explain the development of English constitutional government.

English Problems

• The problems in England revolved around power struggles between Parliament and the monarchy.

• Religion also a source of conflict.

• What did each claim control of?

Problems in England• Queen Elizabeth’s

death led to the Stuarts ascending the throne.

• King James Stuart. Divine right ruler, problems with Parliament (religious) as well as philosophical.

Religious Issuesp. 517

• James I – Calvinist/Presbyterian • England – Anglican• Dissenters – differed from Anglican Church- ex. Puritans• What did the Puritans believe? What were their

goals?

Charles I (1625)

• Prison w/o trial (Court of Star Chamber)• Needed money • “Petition of Right” by Parliament forced on

King.– Not tax w/out Pmt.– Can’t impose martial law in

peacetime.

What did Charles I do?

Outcome of Charles

• Ignored the Petition of Right -it was contradiction of absolute monarchy.

• Angered Scots and Parliament (Laud, prayer book)– Started revolt in Scotland, with whom does Charles need to

consult with?

• Long Parliament – 1640 -1653

-executed Laud

-declared Parliament could not be dissolved

-Charles used troops to arrest leaders (1642); who raised own army

Civil War

• What happened?• Civil War (1642-1649)

between loyalists (Cavaliers) and Parliament supporters (Roundheads)

• Rise of Oliver Cromwell and the NMA

Civil War and Cromwell

• Captured Charles and tried for treason and executed

- Significance?• Cromwell’s rule.

– Military dictator (sent parliament home)– Puritan (no fun)– Catholic persecution– Irish (catholic) treatment– Commonwealth (Republic) – Cromwell the Lord

Protector (1653) Ended with death in 1658

Restoration p.520-521

• Charles II (Charles I’s son) voted into power with limitations placed by parliament (1660) – Merry Monarch

• James II – Catholic, younger bro of Charles II

• Problems with James

-Open Catholic

-appointed Catholics

- Acted absolutist

William and Mary and the Glorious Revolution

• Mary - daughter of James II married to William of Orange III from Netherlands.

• 1688 overthrew James with little bloodshed. James flees to France.

Limited Monarchyp.521-522

• Constitution or legislative body limits monarch• Move away from absolutism to constitutional

monarchy (gov’t power is defined and limited by law) .

• Cabinet members (Prime Minister)

-where did the term “cabinet” come from?• Toleration Act 1689: freedom of religion (except

Catholics)• Bill of Rights 1689 (only Anglicans can hold office)

– Freedom of speech in Pmt.– No taxes w/out Pmt. Approval– No standing army in peacetime

-Habeas Corpus