Democratic Developments in England

1. Democratic Developments in England Objective: Students will describe democratic developments in England.

2. Monarchs Rule Europe • When the Roman Empire fell the countries of Europe established many smaller monarchies. • Monarchs, needing to protect their countries from the invading warrior clans (such as the Vikings) established a system called feudalism in order to secure their lands.

3. Feudalism • Feudalism: A loosely organized system of rule in which powerful local lords divided their land holdings among lesser lords in exchange for loyalty and service.

4. Feudalism

6. Feudalism • Serfs were the majority of the population. • They were not slaves, but because they were in debt to landowners they were not free to leave the land. • Landowners paid serfs a small wage. • Serfs paid landowners rent for living on the land.

7. Monarchs Battle For Power • Monarchs of the medieval world battled each other, the nobility (aristocracy), and the Catholic Church for power. • All made money off of the common man. • The monarchy, church, and nobility each controlled a large portion of a country’s wealth and land.

8. Strong Monarchs in England • In 1066 England is left king-less when King Edward dies without an heir. • William the Conqueror takes over and works to establish greater power for the monarchy. • Centralized power and made other Feudal lords swear allegiance to him.

9. Monarch

10. Strong Monarchs in England • In 1154 Henry II takes the throne. • He expands the power of the royal courts by creating a system of common law. • Common law was based on custom and previous court rulings. • The previously used system, feudal law, was inconsistent as nobles determined laws and punishments. • Standardized laws and punishments. • Applied to ALL of England. • Established juries of citizens instead of nobles. • Courts charged a fee, so this benefited the Royal treasury as well. • Similar to Roman Law except the King couldn’t just make any law he wanted, it had to be logical and based on legal traditions.

11. Henry’s extension of royal power led to conflicts with the Church. • He was succeeded by his son John. • John was a greedy and selfish, charged outrageous, unfair taxes and abused his power by arresting people who irritated him. The BARONS REBELLED! • In 1215 John was forced to accept the Magna Carta. • Let’s read the Magna Carta!! PROJECT!!

12. The Magna Carta • The Magna Carta (Great Charter) was a huge step towards democracy in England. • It called for the creation of a “Great Council” of lords and clergy. • The Great Council soon became known as Parliament. • It established that all citizens must be granted the due process of law • (a fair trial and protection from unfair arrests). • The king had to have approval of Parliament to raise new taxes. • The king must also obey the law.

13. Democracy Grows • Once it was established kings often called on Parliament. • In 1295 Parliament was expanded into two houses by King Edward I. • House of Lords included nobles and clergy. • House of Commons included elected officials (knights and middle class citizens). • Who is left out of the Parliament?

14. During the Hundred Years War ( 1337-1453) England and France waged war against each other for Economic domination. Parliament gained strength by gaining the “power of the purse.” • Won the right to approve all new taxes. • Limited the power of the monarchy by withholding the money. • Funded the military when their demands were met

15. King Henry VIII & Elizabeth I • The English monarchs continue to work well with Parliament until the death of Queen Elizabeth I in 1603. This ends the reign of the Tudor monarchy. • Queen Elizabeth dies with no heir, so her cousin, James I gets the throne. This begins the reign of the Stuart monarchy. • The Church started having problems when Christians started questioning the power and corruption of the church. This became the Protestant Reformation.

16. WAIT!!! That’s not really what happened with King Henry VIIIgo to the super secret power point with the truth!

17. The Stuarts Plague Europe • The Stuart monarchs brought many problems to England. • Although James I had agreed to rule according to English law, he behaved like an absolute monarch. • He clashed often with Parliament.

18. James I was followed by his son, Charles I, who also claimed absolute power. • He imprisoned his enemies without trial and heavily taxed citizens. • He was forced to summon Parliament in 1628 to raise taxes. • Parliament forces Charles to sign the Petition of Right. • Charles signs and then dissolves Parliament.

19. The Petition of Right • 1628- formally prohibits king from raising taxes without consent of parliament. • Banned imprisonment without cause.

20. In 1640 Charles is forced to once again summon Parliament, and Parliament revolts until 1653. • In 1642, after Charles tries to arrest several members of the House of Commons, Parliament raises an army. • This marks the beginning of the English Civil War.

21. The English Civil War • 1642-1649 Loyalists versus Parliamentarians • Parliament troops led by Oliver Cromwell defeat King Charles’ army. • 1647 Charles I captured by Parliamentary forces. • 1649 he is convicted of being a “tyrant, traitor, murderer, and public enemy.” • He is sentenced to death. • This sends the message that no English monarch can claim absolute power.

22. The Commonwealth • After the English Civil War the House of Commons abolished the monarchy and declared England a republic. • They placed Oliver Cromwell in charge of the republic and he imposes military rule. • Cromwell’s official title was the Lord Protector— this position was for life. • Calling him a King was suggested but he wisely said no- even though he acted like one anyway and even had a “coronation ceremony”.

23. Cromwell established the English Commonwealth • Cromwell was intolerant of all dissent • He used the army to crush all of his opponents, including religious and political dissenters. • He murdered 300/400 royalist soldiers • Catholics are banished to Northern Ireland– Rebellion broke out in Ireland and Cromwell massacred “rebellious Catholics”. • Puritans gain influence because of Cromwell’s religious fervor (obsession) and persecution of all non-Puritan religions and dismissed all people not “godly enough for him. • Cromwell dissolved the Parliament but this backfired when he needed money and he had to recall them the next year

24. Cromwell dies in 1658 (maybe malaria, maybe kidney stones) • He named his son as his successor but his son was an inefficient ruler and could not gain control of the army support. • In 1660 Parliament restores the monarchy, with Charles Stuart II (the rightful heir) as king. • Charles works well with Parliament and obeys English law. • Practiced religious tolerance and welcomed Catholics to return home (which upset reformers) • Some parliamentarians attempted to assassinate the king so he dissolved the Parliament in 1681 • Secretly converted to Catholicism upon his deathbed. • Called the “Merry Monarch” because he returned England to “normal” (and had 12 illegitimate children- kinda made Pimp Daddy King Henry look well-behaved.)

25. James II – Charles II brother • Charles’ brother James II inherits in 1685 • Forced into exile when his father was overthrown in the English Civil War • James II was Catholic and close to King Louis XIV (his name will come up again) • James II was living in France when he ascended to the throne. • He appoints Catholics to high office. • Suspends laws at whim. • Declares absolute power. • Generally ticks off England. If we have time ask me about the weird coincidence of his children.

26. The Glorious Revolution • By 1688 Parliament has had enough of James II and feared he planned to reinstall Catholicism as the national religion when his son was born. • Parliament invites his daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange to rule because they were the heir apparent and Protestant rulers of the Netherlands. • Mary and William land in England with their army and James II flees. • The monarchy is overthrown without any bloodshed.

27. The English Bill of Rights • Mary and William had to accept the English Bill of Rights before they were allowed to ascend the throne. • Ensured Parliaments power over the monarchy. • Created a limited monarchy • Required monarch to summon Parliament regularly. • Gave the House of Commons the Power of the Purse. (taxation) • Prohibited a Catholic from taking the throne. • Established Civil liberties • Right to Petition • Right to bear arms • Freedom of speech and debate (political debate) • Open elections for Parliament • Affirmed the principle of habeas corpus. • Has to be charged with a legitimate crime (no unfair political arrests) • Trial by jury • No cruel and unusual punishment

28. LEGACY of English Traditions • Established Common Law in England • Expanded power of Parliaments and turned England into a Constitutional Monarchy with democratic traditions (voting and representation) • Created the Church of England • Established England as a Protestant (non-Catholic country permanently)