Measurement Topic 1Learning Target #1
Essential Question:
What are the main principles/ideas of the Magna Carta?
Warm Up~Feudal Times
What are rights? Do you have them? How do you know? Over 800 years ago , the world was very
different than it is today. Unless you were born into the right families, life could be tough. Kings had all the power. Your life was in their hands.
Background Information After King Richard’s
death, his younger brother John took the throne in 1199 A.D.
John was an unpopular king
Feudal Europe
King John King John angered his people by:
Raising taxes Taking money for wars in France (which he
ended up losing). Arguing with the Pope and trying to take
control over Church decisions As a result, a group of nobles began looking for
a way to limit the kings’ powers and protect their own rights in return
Magna Carta In 1215, at the meadow
of Runnymede, a group of nobles and lords forced King John to approve a document they had written: Magna Carta
Magna Carta means “Great Charter” and it focused on the rights of the nobles
The Effects of the Magna Carta in 1215
1. No imprisonment without a trial by jury *habeas corpus-“you have the body”- meant that people
could not be held in jail without a reason
2. Must consult lords before raising taxes3. Must choose competent officials who understand
and obey the law themselves4. Could not interfere with or limit the freedom of the
church5. Most importantly, the Magna Carta required that
everyone- even the king- had to obey the law
Changes after Magna Carta After King John signed the charter, the conflicts
continued until his death the following year The Magna Carta lived on inspiring the English to
find more ways to limit the king’s power A council of nobles who advise the king was
created, which eventually developed into Parliament, the lawmaking body that governs England today
By the late Middle Ages, kings could do little without Parliaments support
Day 3 Independent Time Turn to the Magna Carta Handout. Only section one
will be done today. On your own or with a partner(quietly)…
• Number the paragraphs.
• Highlight words you do not know the first time around.
• Go back and reread for understanding. Highlight with a second color the important stuff (if it answers the Who, What, Where, Why, When, How, Why).
• Each paragraph should have two-three sentences of summary/something you feel is important and you would like to remember.
Day Five Discussion
Divine Rights Discussion. (20 Min) One member of your group will now be your
king. He can make any law he wishes. Why? I picked him to be your king.
• How do you feel about this? Do you think this is fair? Why or why not?
Measurement Topic 1Learning Target #1
Essential Question #2:
What are the main principles/ideas of the English Bill of Rights?
Divine Right of Kings
"…the figure of God's majesty, His captain, steward, deputy-elect, Anointed, crowned,…" (Richard II, 4.1)
The theory of the Divine Right of Kings aimed at instilling obedience by explaining why all social ranks were religiously and morally obliged to obey their government.
Monarchs ruled because they were chosen by God to do so and these kings were accountable to no person except God. They were considered to be divinely chosen.
Absolutism The theory that all power in a state rest in
the hands of the King or Queen. Divine Right: The idea that God created
the monarchy and that the monarchy acted as God’s representative on earth.
The Meaning of This? To question the King, is to question
God. God is infallible, so the King can
never be wrong. In certain lands the Kings were to
uphold justice and fairness, however Kings often forgot about fairness.
James I James I (rule 1603 – 1625) Took over for Elizabeth I “Kings are justly called gods,
for that they exercise a manner or resemblance of divine power upon earth.”
Responsible for King James Version of the Bible
Charles I Took over for James in 1625 He needs money to fight wars, Parliament won’t give it to him. He dissolves it. 1628- He really needs money. If he agrees to
Parliament’ demands he would be admitting that the law is more powerful than him (GOD).
Oliver Cromwell and the New Model Army Parliament forms a professional group of
soldiers in February of 1645 Very well disciplined Promotions based on merit, not class Most members had strong Puritan values No drinking, cussing, women, gambling,
etc. Cavaliers eventually beaten by New
Model Army
The King is executed
Parliament tries King Charles I for being a tyrant, traitor, murderer, and public enemy.”
Was beheaded in January of 1649 Sent shock waves throughout Europe If a monarch in England can be killed, a
monarch can be killed in any country.
Cromwell comes to Power Parliament abolishes the Monarchy England declared a Republic under the rule of
Oliver Cromwell Became Lord Protector (read: DICTATOR) ~ Enforced Blue Laws restricting Christmas,
dancing, gambling, (you get the picture…) Hated Catholics, sent them to barren land in
West Ireland. Any Catholic who disobeyed was to be killed
on sight
Power Corrupts: Lord Oliver Cromwell’s End
Cromwell died in 1658 People are ready for a King again 1660 Parliament asks Charles II to come back
and be king “Hey Charles. It’s Parliament. First of all, sorry
we cut of your dad’s head. Our bad….. But anyway, how are things? Good. Hey got a favor to ask of you. Do you want to be King?”
The Restoration & Charles The Restoration & Charles IIII
Charles II was Charles I eldest son.Charles II was Charles I eldest son. Known as the “Merry Monarch” Known as the “Merry Monarch” Why rule a country when you can party!Why rule a country when you can party! Cancelled Blue LawsCancelled Blue Laws Supported Catholics and believed in Absolute Monarchy, but Supported Catholics and believed in Absolute Monarchy, but
knew how to “play the game with parliamentknew how to “play the game with parliament Dug up Cromwell’s body & put it on display for Dug up Cromwell’s body & put it on display for revenge revenge against against
father’s deathfather’s death
Charles II & ParliamentCharles II & Parliament
Charles II was now head Charles II was now head of Church of Englandof Church of England
He tried to protect He tried to protect Catholics (his brother Catholics (his brother James II was one)James II was one)
Parliament reacted by Parliament reacted by passing Test Act banning passing Test Act banning Catholics from some Catholics from some choice political jobschoice political jobs
Charles dies in 1685…Charles dies in 1685…
James II: James II: The “Bad” The “Bad” BrotherBrother
Are you talkin’ to
me?
Hi, I’m James II your new king. I’m openly
Catholic. England sure dislikes Catholics right
now. I’ve given high offices to my Catholics friends. Oh, and Divine Right of Kings, that’s
my motto!
I hate compromise. I instituted a reign of terror, executing
rebels who opposed me.
The The GloriousGlorious (and (and bloodlessbloodless) ) RevolutionRevolution……
Parliament invites James II Parliament invites James II Protestant daughter, Mary Protestant daughter, Mary and her husband William and her husband William to rule Englandto rule England
But…they But…they mustmust obey obey
parliament’sparliament’s wishes wishes They accept. James II fleesThey accept. James II flees Divine Right to Rule is Divine Right to Rule is
DEAD!DEAD! Will & Mary sign Bill of Will & Mary sign Bill of
Rights to signal their Rights to signal their “okay”“okay”
English Bill of RightsEnglish Bill of Rights(1689)(1689) Ratified revolution of 1688Ratified revolution of 1688 Ensures that Parliament will now and forever Ensures that Parliament will now and forever
be superior to the monarchybe superior to the monarchy King had to call parliament reguarlyKing had to call parliament reguarly Parliament controlled spendingParliament controlled spending King couldn’t interfere with Parliament or King couldn’t interfere with Parliament or
dissolve itdissolve it No Catholic could sit on the throneNo Catholic could sit on the throne Trial by JuryTrial by Jury No excessive fines or cruel and unusual No excessive fines or cruel and unusual
punishmentpunishment Habeas corpus- couldn’t throw someone in Habeas corpus- couldn’t throw someone in
jail without charging them with a specific jail without charging them with a specific crime crime