Absolutism – England16.3

English Problems• The problems in

England revolved around power struggles between Parliament and the monarchy.

• Religion also a source of conflict.

• What did each claim as their basis for control?

Problems in England• Queen Elizabeth’s

death led to the Stuarts ascending the throne.

• King James Stuart. Divine right ruler, problems with Parliament (religious) as well as philosophical.

Religious Issuesp. 517

• James I – Calvinist/Presbyterian • England – Anglican• Dissenters – differed from Anglican Church- ex. Puritans• What did the Puritans believe? What were their

goals?

Charles I (1625)

• Prison w/o trial• Needed money • “Petition of Right” by Parliament forced on

King.– Not tax w/out Pmt.– Can’t impose martial law in peacetime.– Dissolved Parliament

Outcome of Charles• Ignored the Petition of Right -it was contradiction of

absolute monarchy.• Angered Scots and Parliament (Laud, prayer book)• Long Parliament – 1640 -1653 -executed Laud-declared Parliament could not be dissolved-Charles used troops to arrest leaders (1642); who

raised own army

Civil War• What happened?• Civil War (1642-1649)

between loyalists (Cavaliers) and Parliament supporters (Roundheads)

• Rise of Oliver Cromwell and the NMA

Civil War and Cromwell

• Captured Charles and tried for treason and executed

- Significance?• Cromwell’s rule.

– Military dictator (sent parliament home)– Puritan (no fun)– Catholic persecution– Irish (catholic) treatment– Commonwealth (Republic) – Cromwell the Lord

Protector (1653) Ended with death in 1658

Execution of the King

• Execution of the King

Restoration p.520-521

• Charles II (Charles I’s son) voted into power with limitations placed by parliament (1660)

-constitutional based on rights of crown, Parliament and people

• James II – Catholic, younger bro of Charles II

• Problems with James-Open Catholic-appointed Catholics- Acted absolutist

William and Mary and the Glorious Revolution

• Mary daughter of James II married to William the Orange III from Netherlands.

• 1688 overthrew James with little bloodshed. James flees to France.

Limited Monarchyp.521-522

• Constitution or legislative body limits monarch• Move away from absolutism to constitutional

monarchy (gov’t power is defined and limited by law) . • Cabinet members (Prime Minister)-where did the term “cabinet” come from?• Toleration Act 1689: freedom of religion (except

Catholics)• Bill of Rights 1689 (only Anglicans can hold office)

– Freedom of speech in Pmt.– No taxes w/out Pmt. Approval– No standing army in peacetime-Habeas Corpus

Review

• Which came first, the English Civil War, or “Glorious Revolution”?

• Which king was the leader of the Royalists in the civil war?

• Which duo were asked to take power in the “Glorious Revolution”, and whom did they take it from?