Stuart Dynasty and English Civil War

Stuart Dynasty

• English government was a Constitutional Monarchy, where Parliament made laws and approved taxation.
• The Stuart dynasty took over, with James I believing in absolute authority, declaring the monarchy the supreme power on Earth, even being called "gods" by God. This was based on the idea of the Divine Right of Kings.
• James I believed in the Divine Right of Kings, meaning he believed his authority came directly from God and was not subject to the will of Parliament.

Stuart Dynasty (Charles I)

• Charles I, son of King James I, was significantly more tyrannical than his father. Demonstrated by his desire to rule as an absolute monarch and disregard for Parliament.
• Parliament created the Petition of Right to restrict the King's authority, aiming to limit his power and influence. This was an attempt to reassert parliamentary power against the increasing claims of royal absolutism.
• Charles I signed the Petition, but did not honor it, highlighting his disregard for the agreement, pushing the country to the brink of civil war.
• Charles I viewed his kingship as above the law, believing his authority was not subject to parliamentary oversight and checks. This authoritarian stance fueled much of the conflict with Parliament.
• Charles I dissolved Parliament for 11 years, a period known as the Eleven Years Tyranny. This was a period of increasing tension and conflict between the monarchy and Parliament.
• Parliament was reinstated and tried to pass laws restricting kings' power, aiming to establish checks and balances to prevent future abuses of power.
• Charles I's attempt to arrest Parliament members ignited the English Civil War, stemming from his desire to rule as an absolute monarch, a clear violation of established power sharing protocols.

English Civil War

• Cavaliers were the Royalist faction, typically wealthier nobles, fighting for the King's authority.
• Roundheads were the Parliamentary faction, whose main military group was the New Model Army, largely composed of Puritans, fighting for Parliament's rights.
• Oliver Cromwell, a general in the New Model Army, helped defeat the Cavaliers, leading to substantial changes in power dynamics.
• Charles I surrendered to the Roundheads and was executed for treason, signifying a significant change in the relationship between the monarchy and Parliament. This marked a major shift towards republicanism, putting an end to his reign and marking a significant moment for power dynamics.
• Killing a monarch was controversial as the idea was that the king was God's representative, even though the legitimacy of that claim was being questioned during that time.
• Cromwell pushed for the king's execution, marking a moment of significant political change, demonstrating the rising influence of Parliament's power.

The Commonwealth and the Protectorate

• Parliament abolished the monarchy and established the Commonwealth, a Republic, replacing the monarchy with a government directly accountable to the people. Demonstrating a step towards greater democratic principles. This was a significant shift away from absolute monarchy.
• Cromwell was given military command to quell Irish rebels who had taken control of the country, leading to substantial military engagements, impacting the Irish nation significantly. This action resulted in the transplantation and forced relocation of some Irish people, in part as indentured laborers or prisoners, to the Caribbean.
• Cromwell brutally put down Ireland's rebellion, forcibly moving some Irish people to the Caribbean as indentured laborers or prisoners, creating a lasting impact on the Irish population, reflecting the consequences of the political upheaval.
• The Commonwealth transitioned into the Protectorate after the New Model Army dissolved Parliament and appointed Cromwell as Lord Protector, becoming head of state with a military dictatorship. This marked a shift from a republic to a more authoritarian system under Cromwell. Note that this new form of government was also not without its problems and widespread unhappiness.

Restoration of the Monarchy

• The Protectorate's unpopularity stemmed from its military intimidation and restrictions on activities, including banning theaters, sports, gambling, and holidays like Christmas and Easter, leading to widespread discontent among the population, demonstrating the public's desire for more freedom after years of upheaval.
• Cromwell died.
• Parliament invited Charles II, son of Charles I, to assume the throne, establishing the restoration of the monarchy, a return to the previously established power structure.

Restoration of the Monarchy (Charles II and James II)

• Charles II was popular and had good relations with Parliament, reinstating Anglicanism as the national religion.
• James II took over after Charles II's death.
• James II was Catholic and wanted to rule with divine right, believing his authority came directly from God and was not subject to parliamentary oversight and checks, reflecting his belief in royal absolutism.
• James II was unpopular with Parliament and faced rebellions, reflecting growing tensions and opposition to the monarchy, stemming from disagreements on the powers of the monarchy and Parliament.
• His supporters were executed by Parliament for treason, a significant step in escalating tensions during these challenging times.

Glorious Revolution

• English lords sought to depose James II, a Catholic king with unpopular views, including the banning of Catholicism from political office—James II's religious policies alienated many.
• William of Orange, ruler of the Dutch Republic, was invited to invade England to restore order and secure Protestantism—there were strong religious grounds for the invitation; significant religious differences were present.
• The invasion led to the Glorious Revolution, peacefully replacing James II with William and Mary.
• William and Mary became the monarchs, and James II fled the country, a clear victory for Parliament and its role in influencing the government—this was a peaceful transition, minimizing bloodshed and direct conflict.
• This significant transition was remarkably bloodless, minimizing casualties, marking a crucial turning point toward greater parliamentary influence.

Glorious Revolution (Outcome)

• The English Bill of Rights was ratified by William and Mary.
• The Bill limited the power of the monarchy and guaranteed rights for Parliament, establishing a more balanced government.
• England transitioned to a limited, constitutional monarchy.
• The English Civil War and Glorious Revolution were pivotal events in England's history, addressing the issue of absolute monarchy and ensuring the power of Parliament, signifying a transition towards a more democratic model of governance, with checks and balances in place.

Explore the power struggles during the Stuart dynasty, focusing on the reigns of James I and Charles I. Learn about the establishment of constitutional monarchy, the Petition of Right, and the events leading to the English Civil War. This quiz examines the tensions between monarchy and Parliament in early 17th century England.