3.2: Constitutional Monarchy in England

The English Bill of Rights

William and Mary signed this important English document in 1689, which did the following: 1. Denied the power of a monarch to pass laws without Parliament's consent; 2. Forbade the king from raising an army during peacetime without Parliament's approval; 3. Protected the rights of the people (i.e. the people have the right to petition the king, protection from excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment, and the freedom of speech); 4. Forbade future kings and queens of England from being Catholic.

The War of Jenkins' Ear (1739 - 1748)

A war between Britain and Spain that lasted from 1739 to 1748 (this war eventually merged into the War of Austrian Succession in 1742 and ended with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748). The war started due to British outrage over how Spain was treating British sailors in the West Indies. The name of the war comes from a British captain, Robert Jenkins, who had his ear cut off by Spanish sailors who had boarded his merchant ship. The severed ear was exhibited before the British Parliament which helped ignite the conflict against Spain.

The English Civil War (1642-1651)

A war in England that started when Charles I marched troops into Parliament. Those who supported Parliament were known as "Roundheads," while the supporters of the king were called "Cavaliers." With the help of Oliver Cromwell's New Model Army, the Roundheads eventually defeated the king's forces. However, after their victory Parliament became divided. Puritans, who saw Cromwell as their leader (Cromwell was a Puritan himself), purged Presbyterians from Parliament. In 1649 the "Rump Parliament" destroyed the House of Lords and the monarchy itself. Charles I was executed and England became a republic governed by the Rump Parliament. During this time, some radical republicans, called "Levellers," wanted every Englishman to have the right to vote. Others believed that only men who owned property should have the right to vote. Eventually the army, still led by Oliver Cromwell, did not believe that the Rump Parliament was governing well. This led to another purge of Parliament. But even members of this so-called "Bare Bones Parliament" were divided. In 1653, Cromwell was proclaimed Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland. He shared power with the Bare Bones Parliament, but after his death in 1658, there was general agreement that England should restore the monarchy.

The Petition of Right (1628)

After Charles I illegally tried to raise money to get England involved in the Thirty Years' War, Parliament forced the king to sign a document in 1628 which stated that only Parliament has the power to raise taxes and that the English people have certain rights that can't be taken away by the king.

Glorious Revolution (1688)

After James II passed laws that favored Catholics in England and married a young Catholic Italian princess, the Whigs and Tories in Parliament came together to dethrone James II. In 1688, an invitation was sent from Parliament to James II's Protestant daughter Mary II (from his first marriage) and her husband William III of Orange to take the English throne. They accepted and left the Dutch Republic and arrived in England in 1688. This change of rulers without any bloodshed is very unique in history. In 1689, William and Mary were crowned as England's co-monarchs after agreeing to the Bill of Rights drawn up by Parliament.

The Diplomatic Revolution of 1756

After the War of Austrian Succession (1740 - 1748) and before the Seven Years' War started in 1756, Europe experienced a diplomatic reshuffling of alliances. Former adversaries became allies as new opportunities to seize power emerged. In the Convention of Westminster in England, Britain and Prussia saw France as a global threat and agreed to join sides in an anti-French alliance. France countered by putting aside their longstanding rivalry with Habsburg Austria and created a Franco-Austrian alliance (Maria Theresa of Austria sent her daughter Marie-Antoinette to marry Louis XVI of France). This diplomatic reshuffling became known as the Diplomatic Revolution of 1756. When Prussia invaded Saxony (an ally of Austria) in 1756 and started the Seven Years' War, Austria and France honored their new alliance and joined together to attack Prussia. Britain honored the Convention of Westminster and sent assistance (mainly financial) to help their Prussian allies. Meanwhile, France and Britain fought each other around the world, in places like North America, the Caribbean, and India.

The War of Austrian Succession (1740-1748)

In 1740, Maria Theresa became the next ruler of Austria and the Holy Roman Empire. She was viewed as weak, which led Frederick the Great of Prussia to invade in order to seize a resource rich region in northern Austria called Silesia. France jumped at the opportunity to weaken their Habsburg rivals and joined Prussia in the invasion. The war eventually involved most European powers (Spain and England joined the conflict on opposite sides, thus merging their War of Jenkins' Ear into this one). In the end, very little was settled besides Prussia gaining some territory at the expense of Austria. The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle was signed in 1748, which ended the fighting (temporarily). In 1756, fighting resumed in what became known as the Seven Years' War (1756-1763).

James II (r. 1685 - 1688)

The brother of Charles II who became king after his death. This king was dethroned during the Glorious Revolution in 1688 after Parliament feared he would turn England back towards Catholicism. Parliament gave the throne to his Protestant daughter Mary II and her husband William III of Orange.

James I (r. 1603 - 1625)

The cousin of Elizabeth I and the first Stuart king of England. Claimed to rule with absolute power and divine right and argued that Parliament's role was to advise him, not challenge his authority.

Parliament

The legislative body of the United Kingdom that is split into the House of Lords and the House of Commons. As this legislative body grew in power and influence during the 1600s and 1700s, factions developed within its ranks. These competing groups became the forerunners of Britain's first political parties - the Whigs and Tories. Generally, the Whigs worked to limit the power of the king, while the conservative Tories were supporters of the monarchy. The Whig Party eventually faded away, while a form of the Tory Party has continued to this day (the two main political parties in the UK today are the Conservative Party, which leans center-right and the Labour Party, which leans center-left).

Charles II (r. 1660 - 1685)

The son of Charles I (executed during the English Civil War), who was invited back to England after the death of Oliver Cromwell to restore the monarchy.

Charles I (r. 1625 - 1649)

The son of King James I, who believed that he should rule with absolute power and divine right. He is famous for signing the Petition of Right and then ignoring it. Later, he marched soldiers into the House of Commons, which sparked the English Civil War. He was executed on the orders of Oliver Cromwell at the conclusion of the war.