1. The English Civil War and Constitutionalism

2. CONSTITUTIONALISM France, Prussia, Russia were absolute states
England and Holland were constitutional states
Constitutionalism is limiting the govt. by law (may be written or unwritten)
May be monarchies or Republics
This is not democratic (no franchise for all)
Yet England would experience the last of the great Religious Wars

3. 1603 James I (Stuart) replaced Elizabeth (Tudor)
James believed he was only responsible to God and had control over everything which conflicted with the principle of due process

4. Was called the “wisest fool in Christendom”
He could not live with the financial constraints of Parliament
The House of Commons governed the royal finances
The members of the Commons were better educated than in previous governments.
James died (1625) and was replaced by his son Charles I

5. Charles I (1625) tried to rule without Parliament and it almost crippled the country
Parliament didn’t trust Charles and wouldn’t give him money
Many people believed the Reformation had not gone far enough
Most English were Calvinists, the most zealous were Puritans dissatisfied with the Anglican Church
James I and Charles I gave the impression of being sympathetic to Catholicism

6. 1629 - Charles tried to rule without Parliament
Parliament could only meet when summoned by the monarch
Charles wanted ship-money from all towns not just coastal towns – landowners rejected his plan

7. Charles supported archbishop of Canterbury William Laud’s goal of religious uniformity
Laud insisted on complete uniformity with the “Court of High Commission”
Wanted to impose uniformity on the Scots: a) new Anglican prayer book b) bishoprics
Both rejected by the Scots who rebelled
Charles was forced to recall Parliament to get funds
Parliament was not willing to trust the king with an army

8. Long Parliament sat from 1640-1660
a) 1641 Triennial Act - king must summon Parliament every 3 years b) Impeached archbishop Laud c) Abolished the Court of High Commission
Charles, fearful of an uprising, agreed
The Irish also rebelled and Charles couldn’t stop them
Charles recruited army from nobility (Cavaliers)
Parliament recruited an army (Roundheads)
The English Civil War (1642-9) did not resolve the problem of who would hold the power

9. 1649-1660 is the “Interregnum” or Puritan Commonwealth
Thomas Hobbes Leviathan, sovereignty is derived from the people, the power of the ruler is absolute but not divine - this pleased no one
Theoretically, power rested with parliament
The army controlled Parliament, Cromwell controlled the “New Model Army”
“Protectorate” Cromwell’s rule was a military dictatorship

10. The army prepared a constitution: a) executive power rested with Cromwell and a council of state b) a triennial Parliament c) Parliament can raise taxes
Cromwell tore up the document

11. Cromwell: a) divided the country into 12 military districts b) The Instrument of Government gave religious freedom to all, except Catholics c) crushed rebellions in Ireland d) enforced the Navigation Acts (English goods - English ships) e) welcomed Jews
The state: a) censored the press b) forbade sport c) closed the theaters
Cromwell was an absolutist - died 1658

12. The Restoration - 1660 Failed in two areas
Reestablished the monarchy - Charles II
Both houses of Parliament were restored
Law courts restored
Local govt. through Justices of the Peace
Failed in two areas
What was the attitude of the state towards Puritans, Catholics, and dissenters?
What was the relationship between king and Parliament?

13. Test Act of 1673
To enforce religious conformity those who refused to receive the sacraments of the Church of England: a) could not vote b) hold public office c) preach or teach d) attend university e) assemble for meetings

14. CABAL 5 advisers appointed by the king, also members of Parliament:
Gave rise to ministerial responsibilities
Parliament did not give Charles enough money to rule - but acknowledged his divine right

15. For 200,000 pounds from France, Charles agrees to: a) relax laws against Catholics b) re-catholicize England c) support France against the Dutch policies d) convert to Catholicism
The people feared: a) a Catholic dynasty b) hated Louis XIV and absolutism c) hated Catholicism
The Commons passed a bill excluded Catholics for the throne
Charles dissolved Parliament - the bill never passed

16. James II succeeded his brother
James appointed Catholics to high positions - contrary to the Test Act
James suspended the law at will and England feared absolutism
He also declared religious freedom for all
Two events signaled revolution i) seven bishops were arrested for not complying with the Declaration of Indulgence ii) James’s second wife produced a male heir

17. Wealthy English men offered the throne to James’s Protestant daughter Mary and William

18. Triumph of Government
The “Glorious Revolution” had very little blood and was the end of divine-right monarchy in England
William and Mary accepted the throne but recognized the supremacy of Parliament
The rights of the people were listed in the Bill of Rights

19. The Bill of Rights
Laws were made by parliament and could not be suspended by the Crown
Parliament had to be called at least every 3 years
The Crown would not interfere with Parliament
Judges would be independent
No standing army in peace time
English monarch must be Protestant
Freedom of worship to Protestant dissenters

20. Feb 13, 1688, the Declaration of Rights was accepted and proclaimed by William and Mary. Declaration had three main parts:
1. an indictment of James II and his transgressions, a declaration of the rights of citizens William and Mary declared King and Queen of England, with William to exercise all power during his lifetime.

21. John Locke
Second Treatise of Civil Government defended the revolution: a) People set up governments to protect life, liberty, and property b) If government oversteps the bounds then it is tyranny, people have a natural right to revolt
The revolution was not democratic
Sovereignty rested with Parliament
Parliament reflected the Upper Class
Created a constitutional monarchy - the age of aristocratic government

22. The Dutch Republic
provinces of the Union of Utrecht form United Provinces
Independence confirmed by Treaty of Westphalia (1648)
Led to the “Golden Age” of the Netherlands
Power was held by regents in an oligarchy
States General handled foreign affairs
States General appointed stadholders (representatives) in each province

23. Holland (largest navy) dominated
Dutch were republicans and Calvinists
Political success based on economic prosperity
*They were tolerant of religion
Toleration attracted investment

24. Herring fishing was the cornerstone of their success
Profits stimulated shipbuilding
Became transporters - not exporters
Dutch East India Company created, a joint- stock company
East and West India Companies became tools of imperialism