How did the civil war Affect
Democracy in England?
Pages 146-154
Democracy In England
• Charles II was in exile in Europe
• The English Republic was now called the
Commonwealth of England
- The Rump Parliament voted to abolish the
monarchy and the House of Lords in 1649
The Rump Parliament
• Becoming unpopular
- Many people disagreed with its decisions or
right to make decisions
- Only 80 members, so it did not properly
represent the people
Still supported by the Roundhead Army and
Oliver Cromwell
Changing British Society
• The Rump Parliament passed 2 Acts
1. The Adultery Act May 1650
- Death penalty for incest and adultery
2. The Blasphemy Act August 1650
- To restrain extreme religious groups
Oliver Cromwell takes on Parliament
• 1653 The Rump
Parliament refused to
hold an election unless
they were guaranteed
their seats
• Cromwell marched into
parliament with troops
and physically drove
members out
You are no parliament!!!
Lord Protector
• Cromwell was named
Lord Protector by senior
army officers
- Military dictator
Divided the country into
districts and ruled
through major-generals
- Collect taxes, law and
order
Calvinist Blue Laws
• Established under
Cromwell Lord Protector
• Outlawed “pagan”
ceremonies such as
Christmas
• Forbade dancing,
gambling, sports , and
theatre
• Cromwell was not
popular
Return of the King
• After the death of
Cromwell, a new
parliament elected
• New Parliament decided
to restore the monarchy
- Invited Charles II to
return to England as King
Hail the King!
• The restoration of the
monarchy was a very
popular decision
The people did not oppose
the monarchy, they just
wanted a parliament that
could stand up for their
rights
Everyone besides the
Puritans hated the Blue
Laws
Constitutional Monarchy
• Parliament insisted the king
rule as a constitutional
monarch
- His powers controlled by
parliament
2 major political parties formed
1. Tories- Royal supporters
2. Whigs- opponents to the
monarchy
Charles II Revenge
• Those behind the execution of
Charles I were severely
punished
• 10 members of the former
Rump Parliament were
hanged, draw and quartered
• The body of Cromwell was dug
up and hanged outside
Westminster Abby
- The coronation church and
resting place of British
monarchs since 1066
The Test Act
• 1672 Charles II issued a royal proclamation that
supported religious freedom for Catholics
• Parliament responded by issuing the test act
- Made the Church of England Supreme
- Catholics not allowed to hold office, vote, or join
professions
James II
• James II was openly
Catholic
- Gave high offices to
Catholics in spite of the
Test Act
• Believed in divine right
and meant to take power
from parliament
Fear and Chaos
• Rebellions anti-catholic
riots broke out
• Following the rebellion in
support for Charles II’s
illegitimate son, James
instituted a reign of
terror
- Called the bloody Assizes due
to the high number of
executions
The Issue of Succession
• James II produced a male Catholic heir
Parliament contacted James II’s Protestant
daughter Mary and her Dutch husband William
of Orange
- November 1688William and 20 000 men landed in
southwest England
- James II fled due to a lack of support
- Parliament declared that he had abdicated the throne
and it was open for Mary and William
Mary and William
of Orange
Became king and queen in
1689 when they agreed to
the terms of a new Bill of
Rights
Document made it clear
that the monarch’s power
was limited
Absolute monarchy was
over- This was the Glorious
Revolution
The Jacobites
• Irish Catholics upset about a
protestant king
• Catholic supporters of James
II resisted efforts by Williams’
trops to secure power in
Ireland
• James II invited to lead Irish
parliament
• Fighting went on for years
until William led an army to
defeat the Irish in1690
Foundation of British Government
• Parliament passed 3 acts to that would become the
basis for English government and affirm the
constitutional monarchy
1. The Mutiny Act- illegal to form an army with
consent of parliament
2. The Triennial Act- guaranteed that parliament sit
every 3 years
3. Act of Settlement- parliament decides who inherits
the throne after Mary and William had no heir,
and that all future monarchs must be Protestant