The English Civil War

1. The English Civil War Mr. White’s World History

2. Objectives • After we finish this section, we should be able to: • Explain how the English Civil War limited the power of the English monarchy • Analyze English rights that were protected by the results of the English Civil War and their impact on the American Revolution

3. Prologue • Queen Elizabeth of England produced no children, so the crown of England passed to James I, a Stuart (Scottish) • Parliament was the government body made up of representatives who advised the king or queen on how to run the country • James would struggle with Parliament to take more power

4. James of Scotland • James asserted his authority over the government, and this led to conflict with Parliament • James believed in the principle of divineright – God made him king • He spent lavishly on his lifestyle, and ran up England’s expenses • Also ended a war with Spain that forced England to pay war reparations to Spain

5. James’ Religious Views • The Puritans were Christians who disagreed with the Anglican church and wanted to purify it of its Catholic traditions and rituals • James, who was Anglican, responded to the Puritans by threatening them – many Puritans fled to North America and settled in the English colonies • James has a group of scholars write a new translation of the Bible – King James Version

6. Charles I • After James, Charles I of England took over and behaved very badly • Marries a Catholic woman • Charles dissolved Parliament after they wouldn’t fund a war • Forced farmers to supply loans, or threw them in jail • He quartered troops in people’s homes and declared martial law in towns – military courts and rule

7. The Petition of Right • When Charles was desperate and called Parliament again, they forced Charles to sign the Petition of Right • Charles couldn’t collect taxes or force loans • No imprisonment without cause • No quartering of troops • No martial law • Charles dissolved Parliament and ignored the Petition of Right, even after he signed it

8. Parliament’s Power • Charles again recalled Parliament to fight a war against invading Scots • Parliament voiced its complaints • Charles dissolved them again • Charles, desperate for money, reconvened Parliament again • This new Parliament worked to decrease Charles’ power

9. Nineteen Propositions • Charles was at the mercy of Parliament • More Puritans were serving on Parliament, and they opposed Charles • An opposition royalist group began to form to support Charles • When Parliament sent the “Nineteen Propositions” to Charles to increase their power, Charles uses troops to arrest the leaders

10. English Civil War • A war began between those that supported Charles (Cavaliers) and those that supported Parliament (Roundheads) • Oliver Cromwell led the Roundheads to victory in 1646, when the Royalists surrender • Charles is put on trial and executed – this is shocking to just about everybody

11. The Commonwealth • The new government was a commonwealth, an elected government • It crushed opposition from Royalists in Ireland and Scotland, and also Levellers, who supported the vote for all men • Cromwell dismissed Parliament and placed England under Puritan military rule • When Cromwell dies, his son can’t maintain power

12. Charles II • Charles was known as the Merry Monarch because he strongly supported the arts, science, entertainment, etc. • Parliament settled England’s religious issues • The Church of England (Anglican) became the state religion • The Puritan clergy were removed from the churches

13. Constitutional Monarchy • England became a constitutional monarchy • Power of the monarch was limited by the English constitution, which was based on certain official documents and other legal traditions • This limitation of the monarch made many other European monarchs (who ruled by divine right or were at least absolute monarchs) feel threatened

14. The Succession of James • Charles was known as a philanderer and never produced any legitimate children by a married wife • After Charles died, his brother James took the throne • James attempted to re-establish the power of the monarchy and make it absolute again

15. James • James wanted absolute power, and claimed the divine right of kings • He felt that as king he had the right to suspend or ignore laws, regardless of Parliament • When Parliament opposed James, he eventually fled the country in what was known as the Glorious Revolution

16. William and Mary • Mary, who was Charles’ nephew, married William of Orange (Dutch Netherlands), and they ruled together as William and Mary • Swore to observe the rules of Parliament

17. Restriction of the Monarchy • Under the rule of William and Mary, Parliament passed a Bill of Rights restricting the powers of the English monarchy • King couldn’t raise taxes, maintain an army, or suspend laws without parliament • Parliament should have freedom of debate • Individual rights should be guaranteed, such as the right to a jury trial, and freedom from cruel and unusual punishments • Parliament had also previously passed a law preserving the right of habeas corpus – no one could be held without being accused of a crime