English Civil War

cabinet

parliamentary advisors to the king who originally met in a small room, or cabinet

prime minister

the chief executive of a parliamentary government

limited monarchy

government in which a constitution or legislative body limits the monarch’s powers

constitutional government

government whose power is defined and limited by law

popular sovereignty

limited government based on the separation of powers and a system of checks and balances

federal republic

government in which power is divided between the national, or federal, government and the states

puritan

member of an English Protestant group who wanted to “purify” the Church of England by making it more simple and more morally strict

Charles I

The second Stuart king of England, Scotland, and Wales. His belief in the divine right of kings brought him into constant conflict with Parliament. This conflict eventually led to the English Civil War and Charles’s defeat and execution for treason.

Oliver Cromwell

English soldier and gentleman who led the forces against Charles I of England during the English Civil War. He made himself Lord Protector of England in 1653, leading the country as a republic until his death.

Stamp Act

Law passed in 1765 by the British Parliament that imposed taxes on items such as newspapers and pamphlets in the American colonies; repealed in 1766

George III

Longest reigning monarch in British history, ruling at a time when Britain and France struggled to dominate Europe; he shared the blame for the loss of Britain’s American colonies.

Treaty of Paris

Treaty of 1763 that ended the Seven Years’ War and resulted in British dominance of the Americas

Thomas Jefferson

Known mainly as the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. also served as minister to France and later as the third president of the United States.