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How do different types of gov’ts gain & use power?. How & why did England place limits on its monarchs?. The English Civil War & Constitutional Monarchy. Chapter 5, Section 5. How did England’s gov’t influence our own?.
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How do different types of gov’ts gain & use power? How & why did England place limits on its monarchs? The English Civil War& Constitutional Monarchy Chapter 5, Section 5 • How did England’s gov’t influence our own?
Absolute Monarchs ruled most of Europe during the Middle Ages (& parts of Europe until WWI) • But England was different …
Types of Monarchy • Absolute – ie. absolutism, monarchs with unlimited power claimed divine right to rule “God made ME king, so obey me!” • Constitutional – laws limit monarch’s power
Background on England • In 1215, English nobles forced weak King John to sign a document known as the Magna Carta (Great Charter) that forced him to accept limits on his power monarch was not above the law! • England was the only European country during the Middle Ages to place limits on its monarch.
Background on England • Monarch needed consent of Parliament to collect new taxes • Parliament - representative, legislative body - bicameral (2 houses) based on social class 1. House of Lords – nobles (aristocrats); appointed or inherited (today = only advisory & ceremonial role) 2. House of Commons – wealthy landowners & townspeople; elected (today = real power)
Background on England King Henry VIII (r. 1509-1547) • Loyal Catholic until the Pope denied him an annulment from his (1st) wife • So Henry removed England from the Pope’s authority & created the (Protestant) Church of England, or Anglican Church (in USA Episcopalian), under his control • Ended up with 6 wives 3 kids (son died young & 2 daughters ruled after him) FYI: Protestants = Christians who broke away from authority of Pope
Elizabeth I (r. 1558-1603) solidified England as Protestant country England defeated Spanish Armada in 1588 (beginning of England’s naval DOMINANCE that lasted ‘til WWII) reigned over England’s “Golden Age” “Virgin Queen” died without an heir to the throne & throne passed to Scottish cousins, the Stuarts Background on England