The English Civil War and Constitutionalism CONSTITUTIONALISM France

The English Civil War and Constitutionalism

CONSTITUTIONALISM France, Prussia, Russia were absolute states England 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 theaters Cromwell was an absolutist - died 1658

The Restoration - 1660 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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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, 2. a declaration of the rights of citizens. 3. William and Mary declared King and Queen of England, with

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 reflected the Upper Class Created a constitutional monarchy - the age of aristocratic government

The Dutch Republic 1581 - 7 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

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

Herring fishing was the cornerstone of their success Profits stimulated shipbuilding Became transporters - not exporters 1602 - Dutch East India Company created, a jointstock company East and West India Companies became tools of imperialism