Chapter 5 - The English Monarchy

Whigs

"Horse Thief". Followed the Presbyterian religion (and would strongly refuse a catholic king). Wanted a weaker king and a stronger parliament. Felt parliament should select next king, not line of succession. Opposed James II (a catholic) as king.

Lady Jane Gray

"Nine Days Queen". Had ties to Henry VIII and the Protestant cousin of Edward VI. Married the son of Duke of Northumberland (Lord Guildford Dudley) in an attempt to have a Protestant Queen. Imprisoned in the Tower of London and the government council agreed that Mary I should be Queen. All were eventually tried for treason, and beheaded.

Tories

"Outlaws". Followed the Anglican Religion (but would allow for catholic king if next in the line of succession). Were supportive of a stronger monarch and a limited Parliament. Supported James I claim for succession.

Spanish Armada

130 ships sent by Philip II to attack England. Storms and better leadership by the English caused the Armada to be destroyed in 1588. Spain's strength at sea was never the same after its defeat and it launched England as a world sea power.

Glorious Revolution

A bloodless transfer of power in the English monarchy. Parliament feared a long line of catholic successors so forced James to resign. The crown was offered to Mary and her Dutch husband William of Orange.

Star Chamber

A royal court not a civil court. Charles used this court to punish opposition and Puritans.

Bill of Rights

Added to the Constitution by Federalists in order to be ratified (9 of 13 states). Designed to protect basic freedoms.

John Locke

Also an English social philosopher. Suggested that individual citizens had certain rights. Believed the role of government was to protect these rights. Inspired America's Bill of Rights.

Elizabeth I

Also known as Good Queen Bess and the Virgin Queen. Protestant half sister of Mary I and proceeded as Queen of England. After many (usually politically motivated) offers she chose never to marry, but used her marital status to her advantage. Was under almost constant attack from the Catholic nations of Europe until the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. She restored greatness to England making it one of the world's wealthiest and most powerful nations by the time she died (the Elizabethan Period).

Florence Nightingale

An English nurse who is credited with creating the modern profession of nursing. Introduced battlefield care for the wounded during the Crimean War, greatly decreasing the death rate. Became known as "The Lady With The Lamp" during the war. She continued expand both military and civilian nursing after.

Stamp Act

An act which required colonists to purchase a stamp which had to be placed on legal documents. "Taxation Without Representation". Passed by Parliament to help pay for the French and Indian War. Parliament felt the colonist benefited the most from this war so they should pay for it.

Mary Stuart

Became Queen of Scotland at the age of six days. Married Francis of France who eventually became King Francis II. Also claimed to be the Queen of England (if Henry VIII's marriage to Anne Boleyn was illegal) and her claim was backed by the Catholics of England. At age 18, Francis died and Mary returned to Scotland where she remarried and had other romantic and political affairs, causing many of her supporters to turn against her. She gives birth to a son, James I and with no where to turn, she went to England and was arrested. Imprisoned for nineteen years, she was finally executed after several assassination attempts on Elizabeth were tied to her.

War of the Roses

Began in 1485 over control of the British throne. Fought between the House of Lancaster (red) and the House of York (white). Henry Tudor from the House of Lancaster won when Richard III was killed at the battle of Bosworth Field. Married Elizabeth of York to ensure war wouldn't break out again. Father of Henry VIII.

Mary I

Catholic daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. Restored catholicism to England. Called "Bloody Mary" because of her many executions of Protestants. Married Philip II of Spain (future King), who led her into some poor political decisions. She left the empire financially and politically in ruin.

Constitutional Monarchy

Charles II (son of Charles I) was invited to return from exile in France to rule England. He would remain as England's head of state, but power would be limited by a constitution. Did away with all English absolute monarchies. This was called the Restoration. It developed in England as part of the Glorious Revolution in 1688. Parliament cannot be dissolved.

Long Parliament

Charles had no choice to bring Parliament back. With Scotland and Ireland rebelling, Parliament took charge of running the war. When Charles protested, civil war broke out.

National Covenant

Decreed by Charles to force the Presbyterian Scotts to follow the Anglican church. When the Scottish refused Charles brought Parliament back to get money to fight. Parliament refused to give Charles money, he dismissed them again, his army was defeated.

Thomas Hobbes

English social philosopher. His theory states people's actions are driven by their own best interests. Therefore someone must have absolute rule so people cooperate together.

Henry VIII

First Tudor King. Ireland refused to join the Anglican church. He began giving Irish land to English settlers.

Charles II

Fled to France after his father's execution. Attempted to return as King of Scotland, but was forced back to the European continent by Oliver Cromwell. Was reinstated as King of England after Cromwell's death (aka the "Restoration"). He was known as the "Merry Monarch" for his extravagant lifestyle. He disbanded Parliament over a controversy with his advisors. He converted to Catholicism on his death bed to make good on a deal with Louis XIV.

Crimean War

France and Russia each hoped to take control of the Holy Land for the Ottoman Empire. Russia wanted to protect the rights of the Eastern Orthodox christians in the Ottoman Empire. Russia hoped to expand Eastern Orthodox influence into territories held by the Roman Catholic Church. Great Britain joined France after Russian organized an attack against Ottoman ships. Britain made "the Charge of the Light Brigade" famous.

James I

King of England following the death of Elizabeth. Son of Mary Queen of Scots, united the Scottish and English thrones. Protestant of the Anglican Church, but did agree to a Puritan version of the bible. Not fully understanding English politics, he had an uneasy relationship with the English (which he left for his son Charles I to deal with when he died).

Philip II

King of Spain. Husband of Mary I, offered to marry Elizabeth I when she became queen, but was turned down. With the prompting of the Pope, launched an failed attack on England in order to restore Catholic rule.

Constitutional Convention

Met to revise the Articles of Confederation. Used a system of checks and balances. Created a strong national government while reserving powers for local government as well.

King George III

Monarch of Britain during the revolution. Refused to allow American colonists the same rights as British citizens or just ignored the demands.

Benjamin Franklin

Negotiated the Treaty of Alliance, bringing French support to the Americans. Helped by the American victory at Saratoga.

Charles I

Parliament refused to provide money to Charles. He tried to force people to give him loans (even putting them in prison if they refused).

Divine Rights of Kings

Philosophy of ruling which believes kings were selected to rule by God. Kings and nobles didn't have their power limited by the church.

Articles of Confederation

Plan used by America following the Revolutionary War.. Created a republic government with people electing representatives to Congress (each state, one vote). Allowed for strong state governments with a weaker national government. Federal government could not raise funds, regulate trade, or make treaties.

Edward VI

Protestant son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour (2nd wife) Became King of England at age 10. Adopted anti-catholic laws and changed line of secession to ensure a protestant monarch would secede him. He became ill and died suddenly after being King for only 7 years.

Puritans

Protestants who felt that England had not gone far enough when breaking with the Catholic Church. Measures like taxes (and even jail sentences) were placed on those who spoke out in support of the Puritans.

Oliver Cromwell

Puritan (Roundhead) leader of Parliament. His New Model Army defeated the Cavaliers and then Charles after he had fled to Scotland for support. The "Rump Parliament" it abolished the House of Lords and took control of England. Charles was tired and beheaded and Parliament, under Cromwell, became the government of England. Also known as the Lord Protector.

Abolutism

Refers to a political system that concentrates power in the hands of a single person, or a small group of people, who have almost unlimited power. Became the main government system in Europe from the 1500's to the 1900's. Middle and Upper-classes supported this system to create a strong and safe society. Monarchs struggling to gain and then maintain power from groups such as the church of nobility. Marks the creation of modern European countries.

Duke of Northumberland

Regent for Edward VI. Tried to find ways to increase his Protestant influence over England. Persuaded Edward VI to change the line of succession to include Lady Jane Gray.

Parliament

Representative governing body of England which could pass laws and approve taxes. Made up of two houses, the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

Petition of Rights

Strong believer in Diving Right of Kings. Passed by Parliament in response to Charles's actions. It declared four things: 1) King could not tax with approval by Parliament 2) King could not declare martial law 3) Could not board soldiers in private homes 4) Could not imprison people without a charge Charles signed it, but did not follow it and eventually dismissed Parliament for eleven years.

James II

Succeeded his brother as King of England. He angered Parliament by always trying to extend his absolute rule. James's first wife, two daughters (Mary and Anne) and he were all protestants. When his wife died, he remarried a catholic and had a catholic son.

Patriots

Supported a break from British rule.

Roundheads

Supported by Puritans.

Loyalists

Supported remaining loyal to Great Britain.

Cavaliers

Supporters of the King. Generally they were Anglicans, Catholics, and noblemen.

Protectorate

The government (military dictatorship) of Oliver Cromwell. Cromwell was called the "Lord Protector". The government quarreled was disorganized, and economically hurt British trade. To maintain control the Puritans used harsh measures. After 10 years Cromwell's son Richard lost favor of the military and the Protectorate was dissolved.

Thomas Jefferson

Used the ideas of John Locke to justify independence. Wrote the Declaration of Independence.

Gentry

Wealthy landowners who had no title.

Burgesses

Wealthy professional people from the towns and cities.