History H: Dwyer - English Civil War and Enlightenment

The Tudors

this dynasty ruled England from 1485 to 1603 and included famous monarchs like Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.

The Stuarts

this family ruled England after the Tudors and often clashed with Parliament over absolute power.

Parliament

England's legislative body, gaining power over monarchs during this time.

Cavaliers

supported King Charles I during the English Civil War and wanted to preserve his absolute rule.

Roundheads

fought for Parliament in the Civil War, aiming to limit the king's power.

Democracy

a system where power lies with the people, often through elected representatives.

Aristocracy

a government led by a small, privileged upper class.

Absolute rule

a ruler has complete control over the government and its people.

Absolute monarch

like Louis XIV, had unchecked power by claiming divine right.

Habeas corpus

protected individuals from being jailed without evidence or trial.

Petition of Right

This document, signed by Charles I, limited the king's ability to tax or imprison people unfairly.

Magna Carta

Signed in 1215, established the idea that the king must follow the law.

Limited monarchy

restricted the king's powers and ensured Parliament had a role.

Legislative branch

England's Parliament is the branch, creating and passing laws.

Constitutional Monarchy

limits the king's power under a constitution and laws.

Oliver Cromwell

a strict Puritan ruler who led England as Lord Protector after the Civil War, enforcing harsh rules and suppressing Irish rebellion.

Commonwealth

England's republic under Cromwell, replacing the monarchy.

Oligarchy

a government controlled by a small group of powerful people.

Cabinet

advises the monarch and helps make decisions, representing a parliamentary system.

Puritans

wanted to reform the Church of England to remove Catholic practices.

James I

clashed with Parliament over his belief in divine right and absolute power.

Charles I

dissolved Parliament and was executed for trying to rule without its consent.

Charles II

restored the monarchy after Cromwell and ruled more cooperatively with Parliament.

James II

Catholic faith and autocratic rule led to his overthrow in the Glorious Revolution.

William and Mary

signed the English Bill of Rights, ensuring a constitutional monarchy.

Machiavelli

wrote about political power, arguing rulers should do whatever it takes to maintain control.

Power of the Purse

Parliament controlled taxes and government spending, limiting the king's financial power.

Civil War Sides

The Cavaliers supported King Charles I, while the Roundheads supported Parliament and reforms.

Result of Civil War

The Civil War ended with Charles I's execution and a temporary abolition of the monarchy.

Cromwell's Government

England became a Puritan military dictatorship under Cromwell's rule.

Government After Revolution

England became a constitutional monarchy.

Divine right

the belief that monarchs get their authority directly from God.

Glorious Revolution

a peaceful overthrow of James II, replacing him with William and Mary.

The Enlightenment

a movement that emphasized reason, science, and individual rights.

Thomas Hobbes

supported absolute rule, believing people needed strong control to avoid chaos.

John Locke

argued for natural rights like life, liberty, and property, inspiring democratic ideas.

Natural rights

freedoms people are born with that cannot be taken away.

Montesquieu

proposed separating government powers into branches to prevent tyranny.

Voltaire

fought for freedom of speech, religion, and criticized corruption.

Rousseau

believed in a social contract where governments protect the people's rights.

Mary Wollstonecraft

advocated for women's rights and equal education.

English Bill of Rights

limited royal power, strengthened Parliament, and guaranteed individual rights.

Political Changes

The Civil War reduced monarchy power, increased parliamentary control, and inspired future democracies.

Glorious Revolution Result

England had a constitutional monarchy, unique compared to Europe's absolute monarchies.