Modern English History Review:

House of Lords

A chamber of Parliament whose members are hereditary and appointed by the monarch.

House of Commons

The elected lower chamber of Parliament, comprising wealthy landowning members who must belong to the Church of England.

Virtual Representation

The concept that all citizens are represented in Parliament by members who act in their interest.

Pocket Borough/Rotten Borough

Political districts that favor long-serving MPs due to outdated population and districting.

Statute Law

Laws created by Parliament that form the constitution as agreed upon by the monarchy.

Charles II

The secular king who ruled during a period of restored monarchy.

James II

A Catholic ruler whose private reign led to civil unrest and the Glorious Revolution.

Glorious Revolution

The overthrow of James II that established William and Mary as co-rulers.

William and Mary

Protestant co-monarchs who succeeded James II, ensuring Parliament's authority.

Revolutionary Settlement

The agreements following the Glorious Revolution, including the Bill of Rights that shifted power to Parliament.

Act of Toleration

Legislation allowing non-Conformist Protestants to worship publicly, while maintaining restrictions on Catholics.

Whigs and Tories

The first two modern political parties in Britain, with Whigs being more liberal and Tories more conservative.

Jacobites

Supporters of James II, particularly in Scotland and Ireland, who sought his restoration as king.

Patronage

The system of providing financial support to individuals or groups, influencing government and elections.

Salutary Neglect

A period when Britain allowed American colonies to self-govern without significant oversight.

Riot Act

Legislation granting the government power to control public assemblies and define riots.

South Sea Bubble

A financial scheme leading to widespread scandal and investment losses in Parliament.

Walpole

The political figure who navigated through the South Sea Bubble crisis and managed Parliament.

Prime Minister

The leader of the government who must maintain the confidence of Parliament to remain in office.

William Pitt

The rival of Walpole; known for his independent wealth and client-led political system.

Act of Union

The legislation that formally united England and Scotland into one kingdom.

Battle of the Boyne

A significant battle where William of Orange defeated James II, solidifying Protestant power.

Massacre of Glencoe

A violent act against the Glencoe clan as punishment for their suspicious loyalty during the Jacobite movement.

Lloyds

A meeting place for powerful individuals to discuss investments and important political decisions.

John Wesley

The founder of Methodism, who opposed the established Church and emphasized personal salvation.

Bloodsports

Entertainment involving bloodshed, such as cockfighting, prevalent before the rise of social reforms.

Methodism

A religious movement founded by John Wesley that emphasized social action and personal faith over wealth.

Industrial Revolution

A period of significant technological and societal change, transforming production and labor.

Enclosure

The legislative process that consolidated open lands into individually owned plots, often displacing rural workers.

Highland Clearances

Similar to Enclosure, but occurring in Scotland, leading to the displacement of many Scots.

Henry Cort’s Puddling

A method for producing purer iron, critical for the development of steam engines.

Somerset Case

A legal case that challenged the legality of slavery in England, leading to its eventual abolition.

Wealth of Nations

A foundational economic text by Adam Smith advocating free markets and minimal government intervention.

Catholic Emancipation

The movement to remove restrictions on Catholics holding office and participating in government in Britain.

Battle of Trafalgar

A decisive naval battle in which the British fleet defeated the combined Spanish and French forces.

Congress of Vienna

The conference of European leaders that sought to restore order and balance of power after the Napoleonic Wars.

Corn Laws

Protective tariffs enacted to stabilize grain prices, criticized for harming the working class.

Peterloo

A protest gathering advocating for reform that turned violent when authorities attempted arrests.

Great Reform Bill

Legislation aimed at improving representation in the House of Commons and abolishing rotten boroughs.

Factory Act

Laws aimed at reducing child labor and improving working conditions in factories.

Lord Wellington

A military leader who played a key role in defeating Napoleon at Waterloo.

Romanticism

An artistic movement emphasizing emotion and nature, often in reaction to industrialization.

Utilitarians

Philosophers who evaluate actions based on their outcomes and the general welfare of society.