What is the English What is the English Civil War a response Civil War a response

to?to?

Leading up to Civil War:Leading up to Civil War:Charles ICharles I

Charles had dissolved Parliament, but then needed more $ for a costly war, so he was forced to eventually call Parliament back together.

Parliament said “you get money for war, we get Petition of Right”

Petition of Right◦ Purpose – limit Charles’ power

Can’t collect taxes w/o consent of Parliament King can not imprison anyone w/o just cause Troops not housed in a private home Can’t declare martial law unless country at war Due process is guaranteed.

Charles is forced to sign it, but Petition failed to limit power

Charles dissolved ParliamentAll of these actions lead to war

The English Civil WarThe English Civil WarBegins in 1642 after Charles is

angered by Parliament’s attempts to curb his power and brings troops into the House of Commons

Cavaliers (Royalists) vs. Roundheads (Puritans and Parliament)

Puritans favored Roundheads—think about the religious roots of this war

Roundheads were helped by Scots (Presbyterians)

Oliver Cromwell- Roundhead General◦Roundhead troops were well trained and

disciplined

Outcomes of the English Civil Outcomes of the English Civil WarWar

Roundheads win several important battles and defeat the King in 1645

Charles I eventually tried for high treason and found guilty in January 1649. He was executed for this offense.

Office of King was formally abolished on February 7, 1649.

This sends shockwaves through Europe. Why?

Oliver CromwellOliver CromwellCromwell declared England to

be a commonwealthDissolved parliament and

established a protectorateSaw himself as “God’s agent.”

Sound familiar?Called himself Lord ProtectorRuled with an “iron fist”basically a military

dictatorship, brutally conquered Catholic Scotland and Ireland

Puritan prohibitions against drunkenness, theatre going, and dancing

Died in 1658 and his son Richard took over for less than one year

Monument to Oliver Cromwell, Houses of Parliament, London

1. Explain the difference between government by the people and government for the people. How can we relate this to Cromwell?

2. What role did Puritanism play in Cromwell’s commonwealth?

3. What “good” can we attribute to Cromwell? / What are his legacies?

4. Is there anything ironic about Cromwell’s rule as Lord Protector?

5. According to Firth, was Cromwell entirely a success or a failure? In what ways?

6. What do you think?

““Oliver Cromwell: A Farseeing, Oliver Cromwell: A Farseeing, Fascinating Failure”Fascinating Failure”

Monarchy RestoredMonarchy RestoredMeanwhile…somewhere

on the European continent…Charles II was wandering around after narrowly escaping capture in England

A new, mostly Anglican Parliament was elected in 1660 and invited Charles II back from exile

Merry Monarch

Why might have Parliament insisted on enacting so many new laws after the Restoration of the Stuart monarchy? In other words, in light of the Revolution, what will the demands of Parliament be as Charles II ascends the throne?◦Maintain religious identity of England

(Charles may have leaned toward Catholicism)

◦Limit monarch’s power◦Increase individual rights◦Guarantee line of succession

For example: Claredon Code- Church of England is state religion and only its members can serve in Parliament, attend universities, hold high positions in gov’t, etc.

The Glorious RevolutionThe Glorious RevolutionJames II (Charles II’s brother) openly

practices his Catholic religion.Why is James II’s religion problematic in the

eyes of Parliament?◦ Actions by James (related to religion) that were

against the laws of Parliament.◦ As a result, how does Parliament eventually

respond?Parliament afraid of a Catholic heir to the

throne invite William of Orange to invade England

James flees to France - William and Mary (James’ eldest Protestant daughter) succeed to the throne in the bloodless Glorious Revolution

William III and Mary IIWilliam III and Mary IIEnglish Bill of Rights

◦ Monarch could not raise taxes or keep an army without Parliament’s approval.

◦ No laws could be suspended. ◦ Parliament will meet often. ◦ Guaranteed individual rights (i.e. Trial by jury,

habeas corpus)◦ No Catholic could become monarch (This was

known as the Act of Settlement)Toleration Act- granted rights to most

Protestant groups. No toleration for Catholics still.

Act of Settlement put Sophia of Hanover (granddaughter of James I) in line for throne

Why might William & Mary / Parliament have passed laws such as these?

Mary has no heirs and her sister, Anne, comes to the throne next, beginning the use of a cabinet.

The HanoversThe HanoversGerman family, continued the use

of the cabinet.George I

◦ Son of Sophia of Hanover◦ Spoke little English◦ Relied heavily on his cabinet◦ PM= Robert Walpole

George II ◦ Continued the development of the

office of Prime MinisterGeorge III

◦ King during the American Revolution◦ Suffered from the hereditary disease,

porphyria

WalpoleWalpoleSir Robert Walpole dominated English

politics from 1721 till 1742 based on his royal support, ability to handle the House of Commons and control over government patronage◦ promoted peace at home and abroad◦ spread trade from North America to India◦ builds the military, especially the navy

making Britain a world power because of Walpole, England became

a military power with both religious and political liberty