The English Civil War
Agenda
1. Bell Ringer: What is an effect of Absolutist power over
the people?
2. Brief Lecture: English Civil War
3. Absolutism Review
4. English Bill of Rights, 1689
5. Impact on Absolutism discussion
Objectives: Students will analyze the impact of the
English Bill of Rights on Absolutist Governments.
Students will identify specific characteristics of Absolutist
Rulers and their respective Empires.
HW: Read Chapter 14 for Reading Quiz on Thursday.
The Stuarts
• James I of the Stuart
Family takes over rule in
England (already king in
Scotland)
• He was not popular, and
Parliament refused his
demands.
• Charles I was no better.
• He ended up taking loans
and bypassing Parliament.
War?
• Charles I summons
Parliament in 1640.
• They attempt to charge
him with illegal actions,
1642 he tries to arrest
Parliament.
• Parliament raises army,
and prepares for war.
The Sides!
• Charles I
– Supported by nobles
– Anglican church, and
Roman Catholics
• Parliament
– Bourgeois
– Gentry
– Puritan Dissenters
• Privileged vs. a
broadened aristocracy
Cromwell becomes Leader?
• He decided the Charles
must be executed on the
grounds that he was
untrustworthy and attracted
“ungodly” persons.
• Parliament says no, so
Cromwell drove out the
dissenters.
• Executed Charles I in 1649
• Proclaimed England a
Republic.
– maintain orderly government
through strong personal rule
(and a lot of military).
Restoring the Monarchy
• Cromwell dies in 1658
• Parliament is freely
elected for the first time
in 20 years.
• Charles II becomes King,
and regicide dies out.
• Constitutional
Government between
Parliament, crown, and
the people.
James II “leaves”
• Younger brother of Charles II.
• He claimed he was above the
law, and attempted to take
power from Parliament.
• He takes power, and
attempts to force the
Catholic Church back into
England.
• Parliament makes a deal with
William, and he sails in to
remove James.
• James “abdicates”, (received
an offer he couldn’t refuse)
Glorious Revolution
• William and Mary take
the throne, and the coup
was bloodless.
• 1689, Parliament passes
Bill of Rights, declaring
parliamentary supremacy
over the crown.
• King could suspend laws,
levy taxes, and raise
armies with the consent
of Parliament.