Constitutional Ism

8/8/2019 Constitutional Ism

1/13

England:Decline of Absolutism

Constitutionalism, Civil War, &Restoration of Monarchy


2/13

What is Constitutionalism?Limitation of government by law

Balance between authority & power ofgovernment and rights & liberties of subjects

State must act according to the laws


3/13

Decline of Monarchy & AbsolutismAfter Elizabeth Stuarts gained throne & institutedabsolute government with constitutional legality

Tied to Parliament for consent

James Stuart (James I) united Scotland & EnglandNot good ruler for unitingnot familiar with Englishlaws & traditions

Ruled according to Devine Right

James I vs. Protestants (Puritans)Threatened his absolutist ideals = conformity

Puritans increased in #s & influence


4/13

James I vs. Catholics1st lenient treatment (to unify) = lifted fines

Later reinstituted them

Gunpowder Plot (1605) Catholics planned toblow up Parliament but discovered before ithappened

Increased fear & hatred of Catholics

Arranged peace w/ Spain = angered Prot.


5/13

James vs. ParliamentParliament unwilling tobe under absolute ruler

Most were Puritans

Kept dismissingParliament

1625 Charles I becomesking


6/13

Divisions of ParliamentParliament ready to curb absolute Power

Starts taking kings powers away (in few monthsabsolute power is gone)

Divisions in Parliament (religious & politicaldivisions): Puritans attacking Anglicans

Puritans/Parliamentary vs. ModerateAnglo./Royalists

King Charles I


7/13

Divisions of Parliament

Puritans/Parliamentarians

Middle class/Calvinists

Roundheads: would not

wear flowery curled hair

Moderate Angl./Royalists

Large landowners

Cavaliers

1642 Charles I tries to arrest leaders of revolt

Parliament raises army

Fled to Oxford-Royalists follow

Open war between King & Parliament basically

war of differences in political & religious sentiments


8/13

Civil War 1642-1646Goal of Royalists:

March to London &

capture itdidnt

Had lots of land, no $

Nobility, squires (Britishgentry)

Parliament:

Held most of seaports &

cities

Navy on their side

Deciding factor: New

Model Army devel. byCromwellIronsideCalvary


9/13

Oliver CromwellOfficer of Parlimentary armycavalry

Led army that defeated royal forces & now

controlled the govtAfter war wondered what should do w/ king

Tried negotiations but Charles I tried taking

advantage of Parliament divisionsCromwelltook over

Some wanted to keep monarchy others wantedhim gone


10/13

Oliver Cromwell Cont.Cromwell/army vs.Parliament

Cromwell reduces Parl.w/ Prides Purge

Rump Parliament (50members) agree toexecute king 1649 =Commonwealth Republic


11/13

CommonwealthInstrument of Govt: created constitution & executive(Cromwell) & council of state

Council of State: annually elected committee ofParliament

Europe applalled: wouldnt recognize it & merchantsimprisoned

Cromwell acts worse than Charles I

Commonwealth collapses w/ Cromwells death in 1658


12/13

Restoration of Monarchy

1660 Monarchy restored with Charles Is eldestson Charles II

Both houses Parliament restored

Anglican Church restored

Not a absolutist ruler

King Charles II


13/13

Glorious Revolution 1688-1689Destruction of absolute monarchy

William & Mary hold throne & acknowledgesupremacy of Parliament

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Constitutional Ism