The English Civil War & Glorious Revolution

The English Civil War & Glorious Revolution

Clark APUSH, Fall 2023


Page 2: Charles I of England

  • Background

    • Son of James I and Anne of Denmark; ascended the throne in 1625.

    • Shy, reserved, and deeply religious; believed in divine right of kings.

    • Married Henrietta Maria of France, a Catholic.


Page 3: Charles I's Challenges

  • Court and Parliament Relations

    • Best friend and influential courtier: George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, unpopular with Parliament.

    • Ongoing expensive war with Spain.

    • High Church beliefs alienated Puritans.

    • Sought money from Parliament, which he struggled to obtain.


Page 4: Tensions with Parliament

  • Parliamentary Actions

    • Impeachment attempt of Buckingham due to failed naval expedition.

    • Charles dissolves Parliament in June 1626.

    • Imposed a forced loan, declared illegal; arrests of dissenters followed.

    • Parliament's Petition of Right (March 1628) included:

      • No imprisonment without cause.

      • No quartering of soldiers.

      • No martial law in peacetime.

      • No taxes without Parliament's consent.


Page 5: Charles I's Rule

  • Response to the Petition

    • Agreed to the Petition of Right.

    • Assassination of Buckingham in March 1628.

    • Charles adjourns Parliament in January 1629, refusing to call it for 11 years.

    • Makes peace with France and Spain; continues to levy "ship money."

    • Attempts to impose a new prayer book on Scotland, leading to the first Bishops’ War.


Page 7: Civil War Erupts

  • Summoning Parliament

    • Charles calls the Short Parliament in April 1640; refuses to address grievances.

    • Dissolves Parliament after failing to secure funds for the Scottish conflict.

    • The Long Parliament is called due to Scottish insistence.

    • Faces rebellion in Ireland; decides to go to war against Parliament in 1642.


Page 8: The Civil War

  • Conflict Dynamics

    • Royalists (Cavaliers) vs. Parliamentary forces (Roundheads).

    • Parliamentary forces supported by Scottish Presbyterians, led by Oliver Cromwell.

    • Charles temporarily gains Scottish support by establishing Presbyterianism.

    • Charles is captured and executed on January 30, 1649.


Page 9: The Protectorate/Interregnum

  • Cromwell's Rule

    • Rump Parliament declares a republic in 1659.

    • Oliver Cromwell becomes Lord Protector in 1653 with goals of national healing and moral reform.

    • His regime faces unpopularity and royalist uprisings.

    • Engaged in warfare with Spain and invaded Jamaica.

    • Instituted strict moral reforms but allowed religious toleration.


Page 10: Parliamentary Reforms

  • Key Changes

    • Established checks and balances.

    • Mandatory calling of Parliament every three years.

    • 460 elected members with guaranteed minimum terms.

    • Executive power held by a Council of State.

    • Liberty of conscience for most Protestants.


Page 11: End of the Protectorate/Restoration

  • Cromwell's Death and Aftermath

    • Cromwell dies in 1658; succeeded by son Richard.

    • Richard struggles to manage Parliament and the army; loses power in 1659.

    • Restoration of monarchy with Charles II; lifts strict reforms and restores the Church of England.

    • Faces challenges including the Plague and the Great Fire of London.


Page 12: Rule of James II

  • James II's Reign

    • Ascends the throne at age 51; defeats Duke of Monmouth in 1685.

    • Attempts to grant civic equality to Catholics and dissenters.

    • Issues Declaration of Indulgence for religious toleration.

    • Panic in Parliament leads to invitation for William of Orange to invade.


Page 13: The Glorious Revolution

  • Transition of Power

    • James II flees to France after losing support.

    • William and Mary accept a Bill of Rights from Parliament.

    • Establishes frequent parliaments, free elections, and parliamentary privilege.

    • Prohibits Catholic monarchy; marks the beginning of a constitutional monarchy.


Page 14: Major Takeaways

  • Long-term Impacts

    • Leads to the Hanoverian dynasty.

    • Significant power shift from monarchy to Parliament.

    • Expansion of the electorate and increased public power.

    • Template for the American Revolution; influences colonial governance.

    • Sir Edmund Andros' unpopular rule in the colonies leads to