British History Revision Notes XVI Century Henry VII PDF

Fiche de révision : Civilisation britannique XVI EME : Henry VII (1485-1509)​ 1. Background → Henry Tudor became King after defeating Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485.​ → Main tasks: restore the monarchy's faith and strength, reest...

Fiche de révision : Civilisation britannique XVI EME : Henry VII (1485-1509)​ 1. Background → Henry Tudor became King after defeating Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485.​ → Main tasks: restore the monarchy's faith and strength, reestablish the King’s power, and enforce government and law across the country.​ → Despite his success, his position remained fragile, with attempts to dethrone him. 2. Government Under Henry VII Firm & Effective Governance Parliament → Established a stable government backed by adequate → Played a minor role during Henry’s reign. finances and a robust legal system. → Served as a dialogue platform between the King, → Committee of the Privy Council: Central to government councilors, and peers. operations & Functioned as an executive advisory board comprising 40 of the King’s closest advisors, representing → Functions: Granted funds for wars & Made statute laws. varied interests. → Henry used Parliament to gauge the state of his localities and ensure magnates consented to his policies. 3. The Legal System Restoring Legal Authority Court of the Star Chamber Justices of the Peace Political Solutions → The law had been → Addressed lawless → Revitalized to → Disloyal magnates heavily weakened during the Wars of nobles and maintained the administer local law and fined. the Roses; magnates operated Crown’s authority. maintain order. with impunity. → Used confiscation of lands and fines to weaken the barons → Henry reasserted control, and strengthen the monarchy. ensuring loyalty through fines and political strategies.  4. Economic Policies → Henry prioritized making the Crown financially independent.​ → Known for being a savvy businessman, he : ○​ Extracted fines and lands from nobles. ○​ Focused on England’s future wealth through international trade. → International Trade : Henry recognized that England’s prosperity depended on trade rather than territorial conquests or legal maneuvers. 5. Achievements and Legacy → Era of peace and prosperity during his reign.​ → Strengthened the monarchy and restored faith in its authority.​ → Built a foundation for economic growth and the stability of the Tudor dynasty. Henry VIII (1509–1547)​ 1. Background and Rise to Power → Second son of Henry VII, became king after the death of his elder brother Arthur in 1502.​ → Ascended the throne in 1509 at age 17.​ → Married his brother’s widow, Catherine of Aragon, in a politically motivated union. Required a papal dispensation due to biblical prohibitions.​ 2. Key Features of His Reign Contrast with Henry VII Religious Challenges & Key Legislation & Acts Opposition to the Marriages & Succession Break with rome break with rome → Unlike his father, → Religion and politics → 1532–1536: A series → Figures like → Catherine of Henry VIII was a lavish were inseparable of acts restricted papal Thomas More and Aragon (Divorced, spender and relaxed during his reign. influence in England:​ Bishop Fisher 1533): Mother of Mary control over the 1.Act in Restraint of opposed Henry I.​ aristocracy. → Desired an Appeals (1533): and were executed → Anne Boleyn annulment of his Established England as for treason. (Executed, 1536): → Relied heavily on marriage to Catherine a sovereign state.​ Mother of Elizabeth I.​ Thomas Wolsey in of Aragon due to:​ 2.Act of Supremacy → Pilgrimage of → Jane Seymour early years for 1.Lack of a male heir (1534): Declared the Grace (1536): A (Died after childbirth, administration. (only daughter Mary).​ King as the head of the major rebellion in 1537): Mother of 2.Personal belief that Church of England.​ Northern England Edward VI.​ his marriage was 3.Dissolution of the protesting the → Anne of Cleves cursed.​ Monasteries dissolution of (Divorced, 1540):  3.Love for Anne (1536–1540): Seized monasteries and Political marriage.​ Boleyn, who refused to monastery lands, harsh taxation. → Catherine Howard be a mistress. leading to significant (Executed, 1542): economic and social Adultery.​ → Papal resistance: changes. → Catherine Parr Pope Clement VII, (Survived, 1548): influenced by Helped educate Catherine’s nephew, Henry's children. Charles V of Spain, refused the annulment. → Henry sought parliamentary support to pressure the Pope and eventually established himself as the Supreme Head of the Church of England. 3. Impact of the Break with Rome → Established England as a Protestant country, with the monarch at the head of both Church and state.​ → Dissolution of monasteries resulted in: Wealth for the Crown but economic hardships for peasants & Rise of the gentry class through the purchase of former church lands. → Parliament’s role became more prominent, aiding Henry in enacting laws and strengthening state authority. Later Years → Henry became increasingly tyrannical, disposing of ministers and wives.​ → Dissolved larger monasteries, further consolidating his power.​ → Introduced the English Bible (1539), furthering the Protestant Reformation.​ → Strengthened England’s navy, earning the title "Father of the Royal Navy" (grew the fleet from 5 to 50 ships).  Henry VIII's Legacy → Left a centralized and powerful monarchy with Parliament playing a crucial role.​ → Despite creating a Protestant state, Henry remained religiously conservative.​ → Set the stage for future conflicts between Catholics and Protestants.​ → Known for titles such as "Defender of the Faith" and "Supreme Head of the Church".​ → Died in 1547, leaving the throne to his young son, Edward VI. 4. Edward VI (1547–1553) → Became king at age 9, with regents Duke of Somerset and Northumberland, both Protestants.​ → Furthered Protestant reforms: Published the Book of Common Prayer (1549) & Introduced Cranmer’s 42 Articles (1543), moving the Church closer to Calvinism.​ → Died at age 15, succeeded briefly by Lady Jane Grey before Mary I claimed the throne. Tudor Monarchs - Mary I and Elizabeth I​ I. Mary I (1553-1558): "Bloody Mary" Initial Popularity & Actions Declining Popularity Reputation as “Bloody Mary” → Welcomed for re-establishing → Restoring Rome’s authority was → Between 1555-1558, burned Catholicism in England. unpopular despite the appeal of Protestant heretics. Catholic doctrine. → Married Philip II of Spain; he spent → Persecution established her fearsome most of his time in Spain. → Protestantism was forced legacy. underground. → Restored the authority of Rome by canceling the Act of Supremacy & imposing Roman Catholicism on England. II. Elizabeth I (1533-1603)​ 1. Inheritance and Challenges → Daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.​ → England was religiously divided, militarily weak, and bankrupt.​ → Inherited Mary’s war with France; Calais was lost.​ → Faced distrust from Catholics as she was deemed illegitimate by the Pope.​ → Mary Stuart, a Catholic, had a stronger claim to the throne.​ → Philip II proposed marriage for political control; Elizabeth refused.​ → Chose to remain unmarried, claiming, “I am married to my people.” 2. The Religious Question → Elizabeth’s goal: Peace between Catholics and Protestants through compromise. → Religious Settlement (1559): ○​ Act of Supremacy: Re-established the Church of England’s independence from Rome; Elizabeth declared “Supreme Governor” of the Anglican Church. ○​ Act of Uniformity: Introduced a new Common Prayer Book; non-attendees of church were fined. ○​ Maintained some Catholic elements (e.g., clerical robes, candlesticks). → 39 Articles (1563): Defined Church of England doctrine, blending Protestant and Catholic elements.​ → Catholics initially tolerated, but later faced harsh treatment due to plots against Elizabeth. 3. Puritans → Radical Protestants advocating for a purer church.​ → Included Marian exiles who had embraced Calvinism.​ → Clashed with the Queen and Anglican Church but achieved an uneasy compromise. 4. The Question of Marriage → Parliament and advisors pressured Elizabeth to marry for alliances and succession.​ → Refused, citing her devotion to her nation and independence. III. Major Crises and Foreign Policy​ 1. Mary Queen of Scots → Catholic queen of Scotland with a claim to the English throne.​ → Fled to England after being forced to abdicate in Scotland.​  → Became a prisoner and a figurehead for Catholic plots (e.g., Babington Plot, Northern Rebellion).​ → Executed in 1586 for her involvement in conspiracies against Elizabeth. 2. The Catholic Threat of Europe → Pope excommunicated Elizabeth in 1570, calling for her overthrow.​ → Plots (e.g., Northern Rebellion, Babington Plot) led to harsher anti-Catholic laws. 3. War with Spain Rooted in Spanish Armada (1588) → Protestant rebels in the Netherlands supported by → Overwhelmed by England’s smaller, faster ships and Elizabeth. bad weather. → English privateers attacking Spanish treasure ships. → Major victory for Elizabeth. 4. Ireland → Tyrone Rebellion (1595-1603): Ulster Catholic leaders rebelled with limited Spanish support. Ended disastrously for the Irish; many fled to Spain. IV. Foreign Trade and Colonization Key Developments → Expansion of trade and establishment of chartered companies.​ → John Hawkins: Initiated the transatlantic slave trade.​ → East India Company (1600): Focused on textiles and spices; became politically influential. V. Government and Society in Elizabethan England​ 1. Governance → Relied minimally on Parliament (met 13 times in 45 years).​ → Parliament’s role was to approve taxes; monarchy controlled policy.​ → Sold monopolies to raise funds, which weakened the tax system.​ → Justices of the Peace handled local administration without pay. 2. Social Development  → Economic hardships: High population growth (3 to 4 million). Inflation and agricultural pressure increased poverty. → Poor Laws (1597, 1601): Aimed to support the destitute and reduce vagrancy. Limited effectiveness due to lack of monastic charity. → Growth of the middle and merchant classes. 3. Culture → Flourished with contributions from: ○​ Literature: Shakespeare, Marlowe, Ben Jonson. ○​ Art and Music: Celebrations at Elizabeth’s court enhanced her image. → Cultivated the persona of “Gloriana” and a strong, independent ruler. Conclusion Elizabeth I remains one of England’s most iconic monarchs: → Balanced political and religious tensions.​ → Led England through military and economic challenges.​ → Fostered cultural growth and international expansion.​ → Died childless in 1603, succeeded by James VI of Scotland, uniting the crowns.  XVIII : From the Last Stuarts to the House of Hanover (1688–1760)​ 1. Consequences of the Glorious Revolution (1685–1714) Transformation of England Political Developùents Religious & Political Stability Impact on Scotland & Ireland → Established England as → Lack of royal → Bill of Rights (1689): → Scotland: Gained relative a European power. interference: Monarch's Excluded Catholics and those independence, ensuring influence in Parliament married to Catholics from the Protestant loyalty. → Resolved domestic decreased. throne. political paralysis; → Ireland: Protestant constitutional monarchy → Birth of parliamentary → Act of Settlement (1701): ascendancy reinforced after emerged. constitutional Ensured Protestant the Battle of the Boyne monarchy, securing succession. (1690). → Financial system Protestant succession. modernized:​ → Political campaigns and 1.Bank of England created → Supremacy of party politics emerged. in 1694.​ Parliament over the 2.Concept of National Debt monarchy. introduced. 2. Changes in England Tories’ Position Key Acts → Supported hereditary monarchy but rejected a Catholic → Declaration of Rights: Limited the monarchy's powers: king. No suspension of laws or peacetime armies without Parliament.​ → Accepted Protestant succession for stability. → Toleration Act (1689): Allowed freedom of worship for non-Anglican Protestants (excluding radical dissenters like Puritans). 3. Relationship Between Crown & Parliament (1689–1714) William III & Mary II (1689-1702) Act of Succession (1701) Anne (1702-1714) → Focused on foreign policy, → Excluded Catholics from succession. → Last Stuart monarch. especially wars with France (e.g., War of the League of Augsburg, → Ensured Protestant Hanoverian rulers → War of the Spanish Succession 1689–97). (George I). dominated her reign, ending with the Treaty of Utrecht (1713): England gained colonial territories, boosting the British Empire.  → Triennial Act (1694): Mandated → Union with Scotland (1707): general elections every three years, Created the United Kingdom of Great increasing parliamentary control. Britain. → Parliament controlled the royal budget and gained significant authority. 4. Key Events During Anne's Reign War of the Spanish Succession Union with Scotland Parliamentary Legacy (1702-1713) (1707) Developments → Conflict over French control → Political unification; → Elections and party → Protestant state with of Spain. Scotland shared in politics flourished, economic prosperity and England’s economic diminishing royal authority. peace. → England secured trading prosperity. privileges and territories, → England solidified as a marking the rise of the British Protestant, constitutional Empire. monarchy. 5. The Hanoverian Succession and Its Impact (1714 Onward) George I (1714-1727) George II & Beyond → First Hanoverian king; relied heavily on Parliament due to → Continued constitutional governance with reduced lack of English language and constitutional understanding. monarchic power. → Strengthened parliamentary governance. 6. Key Themes Parliamentary Sovereignty religious tolerance Rise of British Empire Economic Growth Cultural & National Identity → Parliament controlled → Protestantism → Colonial → Modern → Protestantism and finances, succession, and became central to expansions in trade financial freedom contrasted with foreign policy. identity; Catholics and territory (e.g., institutions like the "despotic" Catholic nations. marginalized. Treaty of Utrecht). Bank of England. → Monarchs became → Union with Scotland ceremonial figures. solidified British identity.  → National debt enabled stable governance. The First Hanovers : ​ 1. George I (1714–1727) Background & Rise to Political Dynamics South Sea Bubble Walpole’s Ascendancy Legacy Power (1721-1742) → German Elector of → Whigs rose to → Financial and → Established as → Spent increasing Hanover; became King power after political scandal Prime Minister time in Hanover; left in 1714 due to suppressing the involving the South (informal title). governance to Walpole. Protestant succession Jacobite Rebellion Sea Company. rules. led by James II’s son. → Implemented → Died in 1727 and → Investors lost solutions to the South was buried in Germany. → Unpopular in → Tories faced fortunes after a Sea crisis, stabilizing England; spoke no decline, as extreme speculative bubble the economy. English and spent little members supported burst. time in the country. the return of a Catholic → Advocated for monarch. → Corruption peace, prosperity, and → Relied heavily on implicated ministers domestic stability. Parliament, especially and George I. the Whigs, increasing →Developed the their influence. → Robert Walpole Cabinet system, restored confidence, emphasizing collective becoming a dominant responsibility. political figure. 2. George II (1727–1760) Early Reign Walpole’s Fall (1742) Post-Walpole Pelham Brother’s Rise of William Pitt the Instability (1742-1760) Influence Elder → Better grasp of → Opposition forced → Jacobite Rebellion → Henry Pelham → Advocated for English than his father Britain into the War of of 1745: Led by became Prime Minister aggressive policies but had a difficult Jenkins’ Ear (1739) Bonnie Prince in 1747, prioritizing against France. temperament. against Spain. Charlie, supported by peace with France. discontented Scots. → Dominated Rebellion reached parliamentary politics, Derby but lacked French support and → Continued reliance → Ineffective handling was crushed. Final → Quiet leadership focusing on expanding on Walpole, ensuring of war led to Walpole’s attempt to restore brought temporary British global influence. political stability. resignation in 1742. Stuart monarchy; stability. Prince Charlie escaped to Europe. → War with France (1744): Britain engaged in conflicts over colonial and trading interests in North America, the West Indies, India, and Africa. 3. Key Political and Social Developments Role of Parliament Monarch’s Limited Power Economic & Financial Colonial Expansion & Stability Warfare →Whig dominance shaped → Both Georges relied on → South Sea Bubble crisis → Britain’s global rivalry with policies; Tories weakened ministers, cementing underscored the importance France intensified: Wars after the Jacobite Rebellions. parliamentary sovereignty. of economic oversight. fought in key trading regions (North America, India, West → Development of the Prime → Walpole’s financial Indies). Expansion of British Minister role and Cabinet strategies restored influence marked the rise of system: Ministers confidence and supported the British Empire. collectively responsible; growth. dissent led to resignation. Significant Events → South Sea Bubble (1720): Financial scandal; Walpole’s response shaped modern economic policies.​ → Jacobite Rebellions (1715 & 1745): Stuart claims to the throne quashed; solidified Hanoverian rule.​ → War of Jenkins’ Ear (1739): Symbolic conflict highlighting Britain’s maritime and colonial interests.​ → Colonial Wars with France (1740s–1760s): Set the stage for Britain’s dominance in global trade.  4. Legacies of the First Hanovers Strengthened Economic Foundations Colonial Expansion National Identity Cultural & Political Parliamentary System Transformation → Shifted real political → Stability under → Wars and treaties → Repeated defeats → Britain evolved into power from the Walpole fostered during this era of the Jacobites a parliamentary monarchy to growth and expanded British reinforced Protestant democracy, limiting Parliament. modernized territories and and constitutional the monarchy’s role to governance. influence. values. ceremonial duties. The Reign of George III (1760–1820) → Reign Duration: 60 years.​ → Key Characteristics: Increasing taxation and parliamentary power due to constant wars.​ → Monarch's Profile: George III, unlike his predecessors, was born and educated in England. He used English exclusively, never visited Germany, and disliked his grandfather's policies. He held more power over ministers compared to earlier Hanoverians. 1.​ Early Political Context a.​ Early Political Decisions → End of Seven Years' War (1756–1763): Wars over colonies and overseas interests, especially against France. Peace of Paris (1763) ended the war but alienated Britain's European allies. George III's choice of Chief Minister, Lord Bute, was unpopular and led to political instability. b.​ The Wilkes Affair (1762) → John Wilkes criticized the King’s Peace of Paris deal in his newspaper, The North Briton. → His arrest sparked public outrage and established: Freedom of the press & The King was not above criticism.​ → Impact: Newspapers fueled political discussions and public influence outside Parliament.  2. The American Revolution (1775–1783) Roots of Conflict War of Independence (1775-1783) Outcome → Britain's attempt to tax → 1776: American → Loss of American colonies American colonies for war independence declared. deeply embarrassed George III. expenses (e.g., Stamp Act, 1765). → 1781: British defeat at the → Lord North, considered one Battle of Yorktown; surrendered of Britain’s worst Prime → Colonies protested: "No to French and American forces. Ministers, resigned. taxation without representation." → 1783: Treaty of Versailles recognized U.S. independence. 3. The Age of William Pitt the Younger (1783–1801)​ A. Rise to Power → Became Prime Minister at age 24 during a major political crisis.​ → Stabilized Britain after the loss of the American colonies.​ → Developed modern government: Unified Cabinet reporting to both the King and the Prime Minister & introduced collective Cabinet responsibility. b. The Regency Crisis (1788–1789) → George III suffered from porphyria, leading to temporary insanity.​ → Question of Regency arose, favoring the Prince of Wales (future George IV), supported by opposition leader Charles James Fox.​ → George III’s recovery preserved Pitt’s career and ensured political stability.​ 4. The French Revolution and Its Aftermath (1789–1801)​ a. Key Events → France became a republic (1792) and executed Louis XVI.​ → Pitt's Response: Declared war on France in 1793 to protect British interests Suppressed radical movements at home: ★​ Suspension of Habeas Corpus (1794–95). ★​ Combination Acts (1799–1800) outlawed trade unions. → Naval Dominance: Lord Nelson repeatedly defeated the French fleet & Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar (1805) boosted morale.  5. Domestic Challenges​ Ireland 1798 Rebellion Act of Union (1801) → Inspired by the French Revolution, Irish Catholics and → United Great Britain and Ireland into one nation. Protestants sought independence. → Irish Parliament abolished; Irish representation added to → Poor French support led to failure. British Parliament. → Catholic rights remained unrecognized, causing unrest. 6. Later Years and Death Final Wars with France Legacy of George III → Renewed war in 1804 as Napoleon threatened invasion. → Symbolized durability of the monarchy. → Pitt formed the Third Coalition (Austria, Russia, → His reign marked the shift of power from the monarchy to Sweden), but it collapsed. Parliament. → 1806: Pitt died, leaving political instability. 7. Key Takeaways Political Changes Global Impact Domestic Issues Pitt the Younger Monarchical Shift →Strengthened the → Loss of the → Suppression of → Reformed → Transitioned from role of Parliament and American colonies radical movements government and personal rule to a Cabinet. reshaped British and Irish unrest stabilized Britain constitutional colonial policy. defined internal during turbulent times. monarchy. → Freedom of the politics. press advanced with → Naval victories the Wilkes Affair. established British dominance at sea.