Monarchy is RESTORED in England Return of the King Monarchy is RESTORED in England
The Merry Monarch Charles II – son of Charles I Had fled England under Cromwell’s rule Restoration of the House of Stuart Meaning – a Stuart is back on the throne Name used for the time period Why so merry? Loved: parties, games, arts Supported: arts, science, entertainment, theater
The Merry Monarch Officially: Anglican Privately: prefer Catholicism Religious Issues Limiting Power Officially: Anglican Privately: prefer Catholicism Parliament passes law: only members of Church of England (Anglican) can go to universities, serve in Parliament, hold religious services Catholics blamed for fire in London Petition of Rights in effect Constitutional Monarchy – accepted by Charles II Constitution based on: Magna Carta, Petition of Right, other laws King has some power, but most held by Parliament
The Merry Monarch Charles II dies without a legitimate heir James II (Charles’ brother) is next in line Catholic People fear Catholic revival Exclusion Bill – an attempt to keep James from becoming king Divides Parliament into 2 parties
New Political Parties Whigs Tories Oppose James II as King Proposing habeas corpus Support James II as King Defend hereditary monarchy COMPROMISE – Tories will defeat Exclusion bill by accepting the bill for habeas corpus -Habeas Corpus: a person cannot be held in prison without just cause or a trial - EXPANDS the rights of the people
A Bloodless Revolt 1685 - James II becomes king Wants absolute power Claims right to suspend the law Ignores religious laws Appoints Catholics to gov positions Parliament – wait for him to die! Has a Protestant daughter Mary – married to William – ruler of the Netherlands But wait! 2nd wife has a son = heir to throne and Catholic Leaders unite and invite William to invade England and take crown WILLIAM III AND MARY II become leaders without any bloodshed or fighting in 1689
Limits to Power Swear to govern according to Parliament/laws Bill of Rights Consent of Parliament for taxes, standing army Parliament held often and free to debate RIGHTS: jury trial, limit bail, appeal, free speech in Parliament, no cruel/unusual punishment Act of Settlement (1701) – no Catholic can inherit the throne Reaction to Irish Catholic support for James II/uprisings
New Monarchs 1702 – Anne (Mary’s sister) Used a cabinet – group of advisors – to make decisions 1714 – George I (German great-grandson of James I) Spoke English poorly Used cabinet, especially Robert Walpole Head of cabinet Later called Prime Minister
The Georges Continue 1727 - George II 1760 – George III Allows Prime Minister to gain more power Avoid wars, allow colonies to grow uninterrupted 1760 – George III Grandson of George II Expands empire through war with France Canada, east of Mississippi Must raise taxes to fund war Will cause problems in colonies