17 th Century England 17 th Century Turning

17 th Century England

17 th Century Turning Points • Religious Wars – Thirty Years War – killed millions and destroyed towns and villages • Monarchs believed that their power to rule came from God • England established colonies in North America, the Caribbean, South America, Africa and India • Trade goods enriched England • Middle class grows and become discontent with being “ordered around from the King

Geography • 18000 km of coastline = many harbors • Island = isolated from Europe • Lowland Britain is much more populated, wealthier and more powerful – Warm climate and good agriculture

Society • Britain has always been a “class” society • People belong to a ‘class’ – Upper classes lived comfortably (monarchs, advisers, nobles and high church officials) – Middle classes worked hard to better themselves financially (merchants, landowners, military) – Majority of the population were Lower class who worked long hours for very little pay (farmers, labourers)

Religion: Roman Catholicism • The Church is hierarchical in structure and centered in Rome. • The Church exists under the leadership of local archbishops, bishops and clergy. • The Roman Pope, is considered to be the leader of the Church (the only one with direct access to God).

Religion: Protestantism • Definition of a Protestant: any Christian not belonging to the Roman Catholic Church • Protestants believed that the Church should be based on the word of God, which came from the Bible, not from Church officials, such as the Pope. • Services should be plain and simple.

Religion View the following pictures: • Which Church is Protestant? How can you tell?

This?

Or this?

Religion: Church of England • England was Protestant, but there were different denominations • The Church of England (Anglican Church) was headed by the king.

Religion: The Puritans • Also Protestant, but disagreed with the elaborateness of the Church of England (= they were Calvinists) John Calvin: an influential French theologian and pastor

Religion: The Puritans • Disapproved of drinking, dancing, sports, theatre… • Many Puritans were persecuted for their beliefs – some entered politics to try to make change – Some left for the New World

Witches • The Church accused and tried witches • Mostly women – You would have been a suspect if you were older, a healer, lived alone or with a pet… • Salem Witch Trials Video https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=bm. BT 04 9__t. Q

Witches • Matthew Hopkins was a famous Witch hunter • The accused would be ducked in water, with thumbs tied to their toes, until they drowned • Or thrown off a cliff – to see if they could fly!

Parliament and Civil Rights • Democracy = government controlled by the people who live under it • In Britain-first step towards this was the Magna Carta – signed in 1215 – outlined individual freedoms and civil rights.

Parliament and Civil Rights • Under Queen Elizabeth I (a Tudor), the British monarchy accepted the democratic traditions of the people (aka – she worked with parliament)

Trouble with the Stuarts… After Elizabeth’s death, King James VI (a Stuart) came to power and he fought with parliament for control of the country

Civil War • British people eventually went to war against their King • This created a civil war that would eventually lead Britain to a constitutional monarchy

• Constitutional Monarchy = a democratic country with a King or Queen, where the rights of the citizens are protected by law