The Tudors and Stuarts (1485-1714) PDF

The Tudors (1485-1603) A period of strong kings and queens who reshaped religion, government, and society. 1. Henry VII (1485-1509): ○ Came to power after the Wars of the Roses: A series of battles between two noble families, Lancaster and York. Henry VII, a Lancastrian,...

The Tudors (1485-1603) A period of strong kings and queens who reshaped religion, government, and society. 1. Henry VII (1485-1509): ○ Came to power after the Wars of the Roses: A series of battles between two noble families, Lancaster and York. Henry VII, a Lancastrian, defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field. ○ Built a strong monarchy: Avoided wars to save money. Taxed the nobility and merchants to make the crown rich. Created the Court of Star Chamber to deal with rebellious nobles. ○ United England and Wales politically with the Laws in Wales Acts. 2. Henry VIII (1509-1547): ○Six wives and the Reformation: His desire for a male heir led him to break away from the Catholic Church when the Pope refused to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. ○ Created the Church of England (1534): He declared himself Supreme Head of the Church. Dissolved monasteries, seizing their land and wealth, which weakened the Catholic Church in England. ○ Foreign policy: Spent money on wars with France and Scotland. Tried to assert control over Ireland but faced rebellions. 3. Edward VI (1547-1553): ○ Young and sickly, his Protestant advisors introduced reforms: The Book of Common Prayer replaced Catholic mass. Priests were allowed to marry. Church decorations were removed to make it simpler. 4. Mary I (1553-1558): ○ A Catholic who reversed Edward’s reforms and brought England back under the Pope. ○ Known as "Bloody Mary" for executing Protestants. ○ Married Philip II of Spain, an unpopular move. 5. Elizabeth I (1558-1603):  ○ Restored Protestantism but avoided extremes, establishing the Elizabethan Religious Settlement. ○ Defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588, securing England’s status as a naval power. ○ Encouraged exploration, including Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh. ○ The Elizabethan Era was a cultural golden age, with Shakespeare and the flourishing of theater and art. The Stuarts (1603-1714) This era was marked by conflicts over royal power, civil war, and the beginning of constitutional monarchy. 1. James I (1603-1625): ○Believed in the divine right of kings (that kings were chosen by God and didn’t need to share power). ○ Clashed with Parliament over money and religion. ○ Authorized the King James Bible, an important English translation. 2. Charles I (1625-1649): ○Continued conflicts with Parliament over taxes and his support for High Church (Catholic-like) practices. ○ Ruled without Parliament for 11 years, known as the Personal Rule. ○ His attempt to impose a new prayer book in Scotland led to the Bishops' Wars and financial crisis. 3. English Civil War (1642-1651): ○Fought between the Royalists (Cavaliers) supporting the king and Parliamentarians (Roundheads) led by Oliver Cromwell. ○ Charles I was captured, tried, and executed in 1649, a shocking event that ended monarchy temporarily. 4. The Commonwealth and Protectorate (1649-1660): ○England became a republic under Cromwell, who ruled as Lord Protector. ○Religious tolerance for Protestants was promoted, but strict Puritan laws (banning theater, sports, etc.) made his rule unpopular. 5. Restoration of the Monarchy (1660): ○ Charles II returned as king, restoring the monarchy, theater, and celebrations. ○ His reign saw the Great Plague (1665) and the Great Fire of London (1666). 6. The Glorious Revolution (1688):  ○ James II, a Catholic, was overthrown in favor of his Protestant daughter Mary and her husband, William of Orange. ○ They accepted the Bill of Rights (1689), which limited royal power and ensured parliamentary authority. 7. Union of England and Scotland (1707): ○ The Act of Union created Great Britain, uniting both under one Parliament. The Eighteenth Century 1. Hanoverian Kings (1714 onwards): ○ George I, from Germany, didn’t speak English well and relied on ministers, allowing Parliament to gain more power. ○ The role of the Prime Minister emerged, with Robert Walpole as the first. 2. Industrial Revolution: ○ Began in Britain around 1760, transforming agriculture, industry, and transport. ○ Key inventions: Spinning Jenny (textile production). Steam engine (transport and factories). ○ Towns and cities grew rapidly as people left farms for factory jobs. 3. The Enlightenment: ○ Thinkers like Isaac Newton and Adam Smith promoted reason, science, and economics. 4. Colonial Expansion: ○ Britain became a global power, controlling colonies in North America, India, and the Caribbean. ○ The loss of the American colonies in 1783 after the American Revolution was a setback. The Nineteenth Century 1. Industrial Revolution Continues: ○ Railways, steamships, and telegraphs connected Britain and the world. ○ Factories produced textiles, iron, and goods for export. 2. Social Reforms:  ○ Poverty and poor working conditions led to demands for change. ○ Laws like the Factory Acts improved conditions for workers and limited child labor. 3. Political Reforms: ○Reform Act of 1832: Expanded voting rights to middle-class men but excluded workers. ○ Chartism: A movement for greater democracy, demanding secret ballots and votes for all men. 4. Empire Building: ○ By the late 19th century, the British Empire was the largest in the world, controlling India, Australia, Canada, and parts of Africa. ○ The phrase “The sun never sets on the British Empire” described its vastness. 5. Victorian Era (1837-1901): ○ Queen Victoria’s long reign was marked by industrial growth, scientific discoveries (like Darwin’s theory of evolution), and a strict moral code. ○ Social issues like poverty and inequality led to the rise of trade unions and socialism. Summary of Key Developments: Religion: Tudor reforms created Protestant England, but it caused divisions for centuries. Government: The Stuarts’ conflicts with Parliament led to the Civil War and constitutional monarchy. Industry and Empire: The Industrial Revolution and empire-building made Britain wealthy but created social challenges. Democracy: Over time, voting rights expanded, and ordinary people gained a voice. This long period of change set the foundation for modern Britain, shaping its government, economy, and society.