ENGLISH CIVIL WAR

The Beginning of Trouble

Started when James I took the throne after Elizabeth died

Believed he had “divine right” His greatest weakness: always

asking Parliament for money to fund his extravagant lifestyle

Parliament and the people were not always happy with his foreign policy too

Religion vs. the Monarchy

James was head of church and state The Puritans felt there was still too

much Catholic influence in the Church of England and wanted change

James felt criticism of the church meant you were not a loyal subject and should leave

One important contribution: King James Bible

Charles’ Abuse of Power

Son of James, he also believed in divine right, opposed Puritans and married a Catholic

When a request for money was denied he:– Put areas under martial law– Dissolved Parliament – Quartered troops in private homes

Charles (cont’d) He would persecute

Puritans Thousands of Puritans

went on to seek religious freedom in the American colonies

James further angered Scotland when he tried to force Anglican prayer on them

They were prepared to defend their freedom

Beginnings of War

The Scots invaded England and the Irish rebelled over the practice of land grants

Charles was in desperate need of money

He was forced to call Parliament back and they were determined to limit his power

Charles refused to agree to their demands and both sides prepared for war

English Civil War

Cavaliers those who supported Charles; nobles and landowners from north

Roundheads supporters of Parliament and Puritans; came from south

Roundheads were lead by Oliver Cromwell

4 yrs of conflict Parliament won and Charles was

executed

England’s New Government The Rump Parliament set up a

commonwealth or a republic This parliament proved to be

ineffective over time Cromwell placed England under

military rule When he died, people wanted a

change and restored the monarch under Charles II

Representative gov’t and individual rights would be a main focus and no more absolute monarchies would reign