Constitutional Monarchy in England

1. Section 2 Constitutional Monarchy in England

2. Charles II • Restoration: English monarchy was restored • Nicknamed “Merry Monarch”: made entertainment and arts more available to people of England. • Learned a lot from fathers execution and exile • Avoided fights with Parliament when policies • Used secrecy and roundabout methods to gain ends. • Conflicts with Dutch: Took away New Amsterdam (NY) • Tried to form alliance between England and France • Protest within England and Parliament • Charles II forced him to end his efforts. • England and France began 150 years of rivalry to win control of seas. • Sought to increase toleration of Catholicism • Parliamentary opposition that he was forced to abandon effort.

3. Charles II (had no children). James (brother and Roman Catholic) would succeed him. • Political Parties Develop • Tories: meant “outlaw” in Northern Ireland. Believed James had right to rule. Supported Anglican church. As hereditary monarchy, they would be willing to accept a Roman Catholic king. • Whigs: meant “horse thief.” A group that was rebellious. Claimed right to deny throne to James. Wanted strong Parliament and opposed having a Catholic ruler.

4. Glorious Revolution • Charles II dies in 1685 and James II takes throne • Humorless and less flexible • Attempts to help Catholics frightened Protestants and spurred to resist his rule. • Story of the Revolution: • James II had two daughters, Mary and Anne • Wife died, remarried, had son who would replace his father as king (Son was Catholic though, Protestants feared this). • Both parties of Parliament asked James II to step down. • Parliament invite James II daughter, Maryand Dutch husband, William of Orange, to replace James on throne. • James fled to exile and the rulers of England were now William III and Mary II. • Glorious Revolution: bloodless transfer of power in English monarchy.

5. Changes in English Government • Thomas Hobbes: Political philosophy in book, Leviathan. • People chose ruler to rule them. They give the leader an unwritten contract to give absolute power. • Only strong would survive unless order was imposed by greatest power of ruler. • John Locke: Only gave up some rights. Wrote in Two Treatsies of Government. • Never could give up right to live, to enjoy liberty, and to own property. • Ruler who invaded these rights broke social contract. • These rights were superior to laws and governments.

6. Habeas Corpus: “you shall have the body” • Protected individuals against unfair arrest and imprisonment. • Brought before a judge and judge would decide if guilty or innocent. • English Bill of Rights: Parliament would choose who would rule the country. • Parliamentary laws would be followed and ruler could not proclaim or suspend any of these laws. • Could not impose taxes or start army during peacetime without consent of Parliament. • Free speech for members of Parliament. • Toleration Act: granted some religious freedoms to Protestants who were not members of the Anglican Church. • Did not protect Catholics or Jews • Act of Settlement: William III died with no heir, sister Anne would inherit throne (Stop any Catholics from taking throne).

7. Two important government institutions develop: The Cabinet and the Office of the Prime Minister. • William III chose his officers of state which were head of government departments, or the Cabinet. • After William III, Parliament gained more power being able to declare war.

8. Homework: Write an outline on • Act of Union • Constitutional Monarchy