Revolution & Enlightenment

Absolute rulers• In 16th & 17th century – most Euro

countries governed by absolute rulers

• They thought their power came directly from God.

-wouldn’t let citizens question their authority

-believed to be the ruler because of the DIVINE RIGHT OF KINGS

Continued….• An “upper class” revolution occurred

-Nobles and Land Owners wanted more say

• EFFECTEFFECT: The King had to seek their approval for the laws he wanted to pass. (Representative Government)

CAUSES FOR WANTING CHANGECAUSES FOR WANTING CHANGE

1. Absolute rulers who ruled by Divine Right.

2. Religion was used as a form of control.

• Most famous absolute ruler Louis XIV, France –

“I am the state”

• England – moved in opposite direction– Monarchs shared rule

with Parliament• MAGNA CARTA

England’s Model

• Monarchs in England consulted Parliament for many important decisions.

• This created an expectation that Parliament in England would always be involved in decision making.

Henry VIII

• Ruled England 1509-1547• Was married 6 times• Avid gambler & dice player• Good athlete, musician,

poet • In order of wives: “divorced,

beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived”

Spanish Princess; Catherine of Aragon

• Henry was cruel & tyrannical during his reign

• Was not afraid to use force to get his way

• # of executions during Henry’s reign is about 72,000!

Henry VIII and ReligionHenry asked the Pope (Catholic) to

approve a divorce from his first wife (Catherine of Aragon).

The Pope said “NO”.

What could Henry do?

The Solution

Henry and Parliament pass the Act of Supremacy which creates a new religion/church…

The Church The Church of of

EnglandEngland

How did he do it?• Bribery!• Henry gave land

confiscated from the Catholic Church to members of Parliament who supported him.

Elsewhere in Europe….• A movement away from the Catholic

Church is brewing…..

• The Protestant Reformation

The Reformation

Protest(ant)- to object

Reform(ation)- to change or adapt

At the same time as Henry, the Protestant Reformation was spreading through Europe and becoming more radical

Why were people angry at the Catholic Church?

• Total control

• Corruption

• Printing Press exposes

atrocities of Catholic

Church (1450)

• Spanish Inquisition

(1478)

England and the Reformation

• Henry unknowingly helped push the Protestant Reformation forward.

• Henry and Elizabeth both sought a moderate form of Protestantism.

• England becomes a Protestant nation

• The Puritans (purify) felt England was still too Catholic and wanted the church to separate from the government.

Many Puritans fled England for colonies in America. They brought with them the desire for religious freedom and the separation of church and state.

Mary daughter from Catherine of

Aragon (#1)

EdwardBeloved son from

Jane Seymour (#3)

Elizabethdaughter from Anne

Boleyn (#2)

Henry’s Family

Elizabeth I• Elizabeth declared Queen

in Jan. 1559 • One of most popular

monarchs in English history

• Helped steady the nation’s debt

• Prevented English Civil War- religious

• Made Protestantism official religion of England

• Reign known as Elizabethan Era or Golden Age of Elizabeth

Anne Boleyn

• Her favorite motto was “I see and keep silent”.

• Considered virgin Queen because she died, not married, however she is said to have had men in her life!

• Leaves no heir….

James I• Comes to power after

Elizabeth

• Wanted to be absolutist ruler like in France – looked to Louis XIV

• Did not like Parliament

• Conflict intensified during his reign

• Parliament vs. the King

King Charles Ison of James I

• He also wanted to operate without any restraint from Parliament

• 1628- Parliament passed a petition that said King could not impose taxes

• Charles closes down Parliament from 1629-1640

-known as Eleven Years of Tyranny

Supporters of the King

(Cavaliers/Royalists)

vs.

Supporters of Parliament

(Roundheads)

English Revolution 1642

Oliver Cromwell• Military genius, backed Parliament

• Puritan

• Beheaded Charles I January 30, 1649

• Steps in as ruler of England

Cromwell

Charles I

Oliver Cromwell• England became a

Commonwealth• Started military

dictatorship and extreme Puritan Lifestyle within England

• People of England not too happy with strict life

• When Cromwell died, his son unable to maintain order

Now who becomes the leader?

• A group of Nobles invited Dutch leader William of Orange and Mary to rule England

• They did NOT want a Catholic King

• William of Orange and Mary arrived & forced to sign English Bill of Rights, limiting their power

• In the end, “Bloodless Revolution” puts William and Mary in power

Glorious Revolution

Glorious RevolutionGlorious RevolutionCAUSES

Divine Right of Kings

Parliament’s Power

Religious Tensions

EFFECTSEnd of Divine Right

Representative Govt.

Protestantism

John Locke and Natural Rights Philosophers

John Locke• Natural Rights

– Rights people are born with