Unit 2 – World History

 A bloodless revolution that forced the king to rule in accordance with laws set out by Parliament

 Background  Most European nations were governed by absolute rulers who believed their power came from God

 The Tudors (1485 – 1603)  Under the reign of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, England realized having the support of Parliament was important  Especially needed support in religious policies  Henry VIII asked the Pope to grant a divorce, but he refused  Henry VIII declared himself the head of the church of England & parliament agreed because they would be given the opportunity to buy church land that was seized  Officially established the Anglican Church of England

King Henry the Eighth, to six wives he was wedded. One died, one survived, two divorced, two beheaded.

 The Stuarts (1603 – 1714)  Believed in the divine right of kings  Parliament passed the Petition of Rights (1628) which said the king could not impose a tax without their consent  Charles I accepted at first, but realized it stripped his power. In retaliation he locked the doors on Parliament  Eleven Years’ Tyranny

 The Stuarts and Civil War  Tensions rose between supporters of the king and supporters of Parliament  Oliver Cromwell was a military genius & convinced many that Charles I couldn’t be trusted and did away with anyone who disagreed  Charles I was executed  Parliament abolished the monarchy & was declared a Republic  Cromwell thought it difficult to work with Parliament & set up a military dictatorship  His son was unable to maintain this

 The Restoration of Parliament  Parliament restored the Stuarts with Charles II who agreed to respect their powers even though he favored the Catholic church  Parliament tried to pass the Exclusion Bill  Bar James II if he professed Catholicism  Charles II dismissed Parliament because of this  James II, a devout Catholic, succeeded him

 England decided they no longer wanted to be ruled by a king, especially a Catholic one  English nobles asked Dutch leader, William of Orange, who was married to James’ protestant daughter to take the throne  William and Mary raised an army  James II fled to France  With little opposition and almost no bloodshed

 The throne for the Bill of Rights  Created a system of government based on laws and freely elected parliament  Parliament could: make laws, tax, consent to standing armies  Citizens could: bear arms, jury trials, free from excessive bail, fines & cruel punishments