POLITICAL AND SOCIAL CHANGE

Raise your hand if you recall who William the Conqueror was. Please turn to page 276 in the text.

A power struggle Beginning with William the Conqueror, the kings of England fought to increase their power. By the 1200’s, the kings felt that they could do as they please, whether their nobles greed with them or not. The kings’ attitudes upset many nobles, especially when kings began to create new taxes or take the nobles’ property. Some nobles began to look for ways to limit kings’ powers and protect their own rights.

Magna Carta is a Latin phrase that means “Great Charter”.

The Magna Carta In 1215, a group of nobles forced King John to respect their rights. In the middle of a field, they made King John sign a document they had written, the Magna Carta.

The Magna Carta The Magna Carta was one of the first documents to protect the rights of the PEOPLE.The Magna Carta was one of the first documents to protect the rights of the PEOPLE.

The Magna Carta The British still consider it part of their constitution today.

The Magna Carta Some of its ideas are also in the U.S. Constitution.

The Magna Carta Included in the Magna Carta were 63 demands that English nobles made King John agree to follow.

Effects of the Magna Carta

Habeas Corpus Habeas CorpusHabeas Corpus – people cannot be kept in jail without a reason. They had to be charged with a crime and convicted by a jury trial before they could be sent to prison. Before, kings could arrest people for no reason at all.

#1 Most Important Everyone…everyone, even the king, must follow the law.

Parliament Parliament was created. It was a law making body. The kings could do little without Parliament’s support.

THE HUNDRED YEARS WAR English King invaded France.English King invaded France. English were winning. Turning point – Joan of Arc rallied French troops.Turning point – Joan of Arc rallied French troops. English troops killed Joan, but it was too late. The French drove the English from France.The French drove the English from France.

The Effects of the War In England:In England: Parliament gained more power.Parliament gained more power. The kings lost power.The kings lost power.

Effects of the war In France, the kings power grew.In France, the kings power grew.

The Black Death

A deadly plague that swept through Europe between A deadly plague that swept through Europe between Originated in Asia and spread to Europe.Originated in Asia and spread to Europe. Was spread by fleas that fed on infected rats.Was spread by fleas that fed on infected rats.

The Effects of black death Killed millions of people – 1/3 of Europeans The manor system fell apart…not enough people to work the fields.The manor system fell apart…not enough people to work the fields. People moved to Europe’s growing cities.People moved to Europe’s growing cities.