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Questions and Answers
What is the significance of the term 'Parliament' in its original context?
What is the significance of the term 'Parliament' in its original context?
Which significant document was presented by the barons to King John in 1215?
Which significant document was presented by the barons to King John in 1215?
Which House of the British Parliament originated in the 11th century?
Which House of the British Parliament originated in the 11th century?
What led to the creation of the House of Commons in England?
What led to the creation of the House of Commons in England?
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In which year was the term 'Parliament' first used to refer to a meeting at the Abbey of St?
In which year was the term 'Parliament' first used to refer to a meeting at the Abbey of St?
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How does the structure of the British Parliament compare with that of India?
How does the structure of the British Parliament compare with that of India?
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What role did the Archbishop of Canterbury play in the conflict with King John?
What role did the Archbishop of Canterbury play in the conflict with King John?
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What historical event marked the beginning of parliamentary democracy in Great Britain?
What historical event marked the beginning of parliamentary democracy in Great Britain?
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What significant action did Pope Innocent IV take in 1249 CE?
What significant action did Pope Innocent IV take in 1249 CE?
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What was the purpose of the Curia Regis in the 13th century?
What was the purpose of the Curia Regis in the 13th century?
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Which of the following best defines the Model Parliament of 1295 CE?
Which of the following best defines the Model Parliament of 1295 CE?
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By the early 14th century, what was required for bills to become acts of Parliament?
By the early 14th century, what was required for bills to become acts of Parliament?
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What change occurred in the House of Commons in 1430?
What change occurred in the House of Commons in 1430?
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What enabled more regular parliamentary sessions between the 15th and 17th centuries?
What enabled more regular parliamentary sessions between the 15th and 17th centuries?
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During the 17th century, Parliament became known for its role in which conflict?
During the 17th century, Parliament became known for its role in which conflict?
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The raising of an army by Charles I against Parliament was primarily a reaction to what?
The raising of an army by Charles I against Parliament was primarily a reaction to what?
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Which of the following best describes the members of the House of Commons before the Reform Bill of 1862?
Which of the following best describes the members of the House of Commons before the Reform Bill of 1862?
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How did the role of the king in law promulgation change over time?
How did the role of the king in law promulgation change over time?
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What event led to the rise of William and Mary to the throne?
What event led to the rise of William and Mary to the throne?
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Which of the following decisions was made as part of the Bill of Rights after the Glorious Revolution?
Which of the following decisions was made as part of the Bill of Rights after the Glorious Revolution?
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What was a significant outcome of the Glorious Revolution on the structure of government?
What was a significant outcome of the Glorious Revolution on the structure of government?
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Which Prime Minister is recognized as the first unofficial Prime Minister in British history?
Which Prime Minister is recognized as the first unofficial Prime Minister in British history?
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The Act of Parliament in 1911 and 1949 aimed to reduce the powers of which legislative body?
The Act of Parliament in 1911 and 1949 aimed to reduce the powers of which legislative body?
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What power was effectively abolished for the House of Lords by the 1945 amendment?
What power was effectively abolished for the House of Lords by the 1945 amendment?
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What role does the Monarch play in the parliamentary session?
What role does the Monarch play in the parliamentary session?
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The House of Commons originated in which century?
The House of Commons originated in which century?
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How has the membership number of the House of Commons changed since 1918?
How has the membership number of the House of Commons changed since 1918?
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What group makes up the current composition of the House of Lords?
What group makes up the current composition of the House of Lords?
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What description best captures the relationship between the monarch and the government according to the new governance structure?
What description best captures the relationship between the monarch and the government according to the new governance structure?
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What legislative power does the House of Commons have over the House of Lords?
What legislative power does the House of Commons have over the House of Lords?
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What was the purpose of the 1949 amendment regarding time delays by the House of Lords?
What was the purpose of the 1949 amendment regarding time delays by the House of Lords?
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Study Notes
Emergence of Parliamentary State Structures - Great Britain
- The origins of democracy trace back to the Athenian polis, where the foundation was established.
- The British Parliament is known as the "Mother of Parliaments," an example of parliamentary democracy.
- Parliament, with its French equivalent "parlement" and Latin "parliamentum," represents the original legislative assembly of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and later, Great Britain and the United Kingdom.
- Former British colonies also have parliaments, similar in structure, though with variations. Examples include India's Rajya and Lok Sabha.
- The House of Lords originated in the 11th century.
- The House of Commons originated in the 13th century.
The Background
- In 1215, King John faced baronial resistance due to taxes and land seizures.
- The Archbishop of Canterbury supported the barons.
- Barons raised an army, and King John was forced to negotiate the Great Charter (Magna Carta).
- The Magna Carta acknowledged common people's demands as legal and established the authority of the King.
- It allowed discussions between the barons and the king regarding grievances.
The Origin of Parliament
- The word "Parliament" originally referred to after-dinner discussions among monks.
- In 1239 CE, the term "parliament" was used for a meeting of prelates, earls, and barons.
- In 1249 CE, Pope Innocent IV called a meeting in Lyon, France, leading to the excommunication of Frederick II.
- 13th-century kings began sending knights from the counties to advise on taxation matters.
- King Edward I held joint meetings, called the Magnum Concilium or Great Council, encompassing secular and religious leaders.
The Origin of Parliament (continued)
- The meetings of the king's council (Curia Regis or the Concilium Regis in Parliamento) also settled judicial issues beyond the scope of courts.
- The first representative parliament (or Model Parliament) was called in 1295 CE, featuring two knights per county, two burgesses per borough, and two citizens per city.
- During the 14th century, the common people participated in debates, with lords and knights/burgesses in separate chambers.
The Origin of Parliament (continued)
- Though "houses" were for discussions, there were three chambers: the king, Lords, and commoners.
- By the early 14th century, the king needed the consent of Parliament for new laws to become acts.
- Though Kings could make laws without Parliament, this was rare and unpopular.
- The eventual power shift to Parliament and elected members as ministers became common.
Changes in the House of Commons (1430)
- Electoral constituencies were divided into counties and boroughs.
- Only male landowners could vote in elections.
- Members of the House of Commons were wealthy, having significant annual incomes.
- This led to limited participation in voting.
- Reform of the voting system happened in 1862.
Scenario during the 17th Century
- Regular parliamentary meetings led to professional parliamentarians.
- Parliament often challenged the king's proposed laws and measures.
- A full-fledged opposition within Parliament did not form until the 17th century.
- The English Civil War, 1642-1651, saw conflict between Charles I's supporters and those opposed.
- Parliamentarians from England, Scotland (Covenanters), and Ireland (Confederates) were involved.
- The war stemmed from Charles I raising an army against Parliament's wishes, leading to his execution.
- Charles II fled to France.
Glorious Revolution (1688-89)
- This bloodless revolution deposed James II, and his daughter Mary and William of Orange took the throne.
- James II's unpopular support for Catholicism and decrees against dissenters led to the Revolution.
- James II fled to France.
- Parliament offered the crown to William and Mary.
- The Convention Parliament transformed into regular Parliament.
- The Declaration of Rights became the Bill of Rights.
Decline of the House of Lords
- Monarchs adapted the cabinet's composition to available talent, transferring power to Parliament-elected ministers.
- King George I (1714-1727) distanced himself from governance.
- Robert Walpole became the first unofficial prime minister.
- Prime Ministers remained members of the House of Commons, a practice later standardized.
- Resignation of Lord North in 1782 strengthened the House of Commons' influence.
Decline of the House of Lords (continued)
- The Acts of Parliament of 1911 and 1949 formalized restrictions on the House of Lords powers, specifically preventing their blocking of financial bills . - The House of Lords' powers to delay legislation were reduced.
- By 1990s the hereditary peers' power reduced and majority of hereditary peers were removed.
Present Role of the Monarch
- The monarch opens each parliamentary session with a speech.
- The speech contains proposed legislation.
- The monarch receives the speech from the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper of the Great Seal.
Role of the House of Commons
- The House of Commons (lower house) originated in the 13th century and is primarily the elected body of the British Parliament.
- It is more influential than the House of Lords.
- The House of Commons can override the House of Lords' rejection of bills.
- The House of Commons' term limits are fixed at five years.
- The membership has fluctuated over time. (e.g. increased from 658 to 707)
- Members are elected from various parts of the United Kingdom.
Role of the House of Lords
- The House of Lords (upper house) has a long history originating from the 11th century during Anglo-Saxon rule.
- The Lords Spiritual include religious leaders (archbishops and bishops).
- The Lords Temporal include hereditary peers and life peers appointed by the government.
- Currently the composition of the house has 670 members and extremely limited powers.
- It revises laws passed by the House of Commons and acts as a forum for debate unaffiliated with a party.
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Description
Explore the historical development of parliamentary state structures in Great Britain, from its origins in the Athenian polis to the establishment of the House of Commons and House of Lords. This quiz covers significant events like the signing of the Magna Carta and the evolution of democracy. Test your knowledge on how these institutions influenced various former British colonies.
