3.2 English Civil War & The Glorious Revolution

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: What were the causes & consequences of the English Civil War?

INTODUCTION

  • England was distinct from other nations

    • Strong monarchy & powerful parliament

      • represented country as a whole & checked monarch’s power (unlike other euro govs that supported special interest groups)

    • English Civil War tested system of English gov

THE ENGLISH CIVIL WAR

  • Result of Stuart monarchs’ efforts for absolute monarchy

    • Death of Elizabeth I —→ James IV of Scotland/King James 1

      • absolutist beliefs clashed with Parliament (specifically House of Commons w non-noble members)

    • Son of James, King Charles I shared same beliefs (divinity)

      • Parliament refused to give him taxation powers & funds w/o recognition of thier rights

      • House of Commons was dominated by Puritans (objected popish direction of Church of England)

      • Charles dismissed radical Parliament (did not call for 11 yrs)

        • called again to raise funds for war against Scotland—→ Parliament reprimanding him for illegal taxation & suppresion of Purtian movement

      • Parliament wanted to take control of army & church from king

        • Charles rejection of demands—→ civil war

    • Parliamentarians/roundheads vs Royalist/Cavaliers

      • Parliamentarians: wanted change

        • army led by Oliver Cromwell (mainly commonwealth)

        • forces executed Charles (treason & illegal taxation)

      • Royalist: supported monarchy

    • Parliament replaced monarchy with Cromwell as Lord Protector

      • Established protectorates for Commonwealth

RESTORATION AND ABDICATION

  • Parliament restored monarchy (period of Restoration)

    • Charlies II became king

      • James II took throne after Charles II’s death (Roman Catholic)

        • Began suspending laws against Catholics (ignoring Parliament will & anti-Catholics)

        • Anti-Catholic nobles rebelled against growing absolutism

          • Parliament called Dutch William of Orange (Protestant) to dispose of James II —→ Glorious Revolution (William III & Mary II took throne)

THE ENGLISH BILL OF RIGHTS

  • William & Mary taking power—→ Parliament rquiring Bill of Rights

    • Declaration of Right increased Parliament sovereignty

      • Gave parliament more power to meet frequently

      • Parliament needed to approve any changes in the law

      • Parliament needed to approve taxes

      • Declared members would be chosen through elections

      • Didn’t allow monarch to keep standing army

      • Government could not use excessive fines or punishment

      • DID not grant/mention equality for Catholics

    • Monarch’s shared power with Parliament—→ Constitutional monarchy (major impact on US constituion & Bill of Rights)