11/7/2025

Absolutism Rejection in England
- Process begins with the death of Queen Elizabeth I.
- Elizabeth I dies without an heir leading to the Stuart dynasty.
Key Figures and Events:
- James I
- First monarch of the Stuart dynasty in England after Elizabeth.
- Charles I
- Executes during the English Civil War.
- His reign leads to significant tensions between monarchy and Parliament.
- Oliver Cromwell
- Leader of the New Model Army against King Charles I.
- Restoration:
- Charles II inherits the throne after Cromwell's rule.
- Charles II also dies without an heir, leading to concerns for succession.
- James II
- Brother of Charles II, becomes king.
- A Catholic monarch leads to further tensions due to Protestant majority in England.
- Marries again and has a male heir, escalating the stakes for protest against his reign.

Parliament’s Concerns:
- Anxiety over the Catholic heir to the throne.
- Parliament devises a plan to ensure a Protestant rule.
Mary and William of Orange:
- James II's Protestant daughter, Mary, married to William of Orange.
- Prominent English nobles invite Mary and William to invade England.
Invasion of England:
- William and Mary successfully invade England in 1688, leading to a bloodless coup, termed the Glorious Revolution.
- James II flees to France rather than risk conflict with Parliament.
Post-Invasion Developments:
- In January 1689, William and Mary are officially crowned as King and Queen of England.
- English Bill of Rights:
- Parliament requires them to sign this bill before their coronation.
- The Bill of Rights defines the powers of Parliament and the monarchy.

Affirms Parliament's right to make laws and levy taxes.
Citizens’ right to bear arms.
Guarantees citizens the right to a trial by jury.
Establishes government constraints on monarchy, negating the divine right of kings.
- Monarchs are now accepted by the grace of Parliament, not by divine mandate.

Establishment of a limited monarchy, leading to a gradual decrease in monarchal powers.
Current scenario:
- Monarch (Charles III) holds primarily ceremonial role with no real governing power.
- Cannot declare war, enact laws, or raise taxes.
- Actively involved in charity and ceremonial duties, such as greeting dignitaries.

First Essay:
- Focus on events leading to the Protestant Reformation.
- Do not center on Martin Luther alone; outline groundwork leading to his emergence.
Second Essay:
- Discuss the Three Pillars of the Catholic Reformation in extensive detail as covered in class.
Third Essay:
- Define Absolutism.
- Choose a country (France, Russia, Austria, or England) to describe its experience with absolutism. Discuss whether it was beneficial or detrimental.

Test Structure:
- Includes 25 fill-in-the-blank questions with no word bank provided.
- Take-home test format; answers should be derived from class notes and Chapter 15 of Deuter and Spielvogel’s World History, Volume Two.
- Caution against incorrect internet sources; rely on classroom material.

Cromwell:
- Depicts the life of Oliver Cromwell and the English Civil War.
- Features Richard Harris as Cromwell and Sir Alec Guinness as Charles I.
Lawrence of Arabia:
- Story of T.E. Lawrence’s role in World War I.
- Must-see on the big screen for full impact.
A Man for All Seasons:
- Narrates the story of Sir Thomas More under Henry VIII.
- Highlights themes of morality and loyalty; well-received Academy Award winning film.
Breaker Morant:
- Set during the Boer War; explores conflict between Dutch Boers and English.
The Mission:
- Centers on Jesuit missionaries in South America during colonial times, relevant to previous discussions.
Glory:
- Depicts the first African American regiment in the Civil War, featuring a stellar cast.
The Last Emperor:
- Chronicles the reign of the last Chinese emperor.
- Notable for being filmed inside the Forbidden City.