A Global Power Flashcards
How and when did the balance in power between the monarchy and Parliament change?
At the coronation of William and Mary, a Declaration of Rights was read, confirming that the king would no longer be able to raise taxes or administer justice without agreement from Parliament. The Bill of Rights, 1689, confirmed the rights of Parliament and the limits of the king’s power. Parliament took control of who could be a monarch and declared that the king or queen must be a Protestant. A new Parliament had to be elected at least every three years (later it became every seven and now it is five years). Every year the monarch had to ask Parliament to renew funding for the army and navy.
How did the Declaration of Rights and the Bill of Rights change government?
These changes meant, that to be able to govern effectively, the monarch needed to have advisors or ministers, who would be able to ensure a majority of votes in the House of Commons and the House of Lords. There were two main groups in Parliament, known as the Whigs and the Tories. This was the beginning of party politics.
When did the press develop?
From 1695 newspapers were allowed to operate without a government licence. Increasing numbers of newspapers began to be published.
What is constitutional monarchy and how was Parliament chosen?
The monarch remained very important but was no longer able to insist on particular policies or actions if Parliament did not agree. After William III, the ministers gradually became more important than the monarch but this was not democracy in the modern sense. The number of people who had the right to vote for members of Parliament was still very small.Only men who owned property of a certain value were able to vote and no women at all had the vote. Some constituencies, called ‘pocket boroughs’ were controlled by a single wealthy family. Other constituencies had hardly any voters and were called ‘rotten boroughs’.
Who moved to Britain in the 15-1600’s?
The first Jews to come to Britain since the Middle Ages settled in London in 1656.
Between 1680-1720 many Protestant refugees, called Huguenots came from France - they had been persecuted for their religion.
Many worked as Scientists, in banking or in weaving and other crafts.
Who succeeded after William and Mary?
Queen Anne, Mary’s sister. She has no surviving children which created uncertainty over the succession in England, Wales and Ireland and in Scotland. She was the last monarch of the House of Stuart.
What was the Act/Treaty of Union in Scotland?
The Act of Union, known as the Treaty of Union in Scotland, was agreed in 1707, creating the Kingdom of Great Britain. Although Scotland was no longer an independent country, it kept its own legal and education systems and Presbyterian Church.
Who was the first Prime Minister and how did it come about?
When Queen Anne died in 1714, Parliament chose a German, George I, to be the next king, because he was Anne’s nearest Protestant relative. An attempt by Scottish Jacobites to put James II’s son on the throne instead was quickly defeated. George I didn’t speak very good English and this increased his need to rely on ministers - the most important of which became known as the Prime Minister. The first Prime Minister was Sir Robert Walpole, 1721-1742.
What was the Battle of Culloden about?
In 1745, there was another attempt by the Scots to put a Stuart king back on the throne in place of George I’s son, George II. Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie), the grandson of James II was supported by clansmen from the Scottish highlands and raised an army. Charles initially had some successes but was defeated no George II’s army at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Charles escaped back to Europe.
What happened in Scotland after Culloden?
The clans lost a lot of their power and influence after Culloden. Chieftains became landlords if they had the favour of the English king, and clansmen became tenants who had to pay for the land they used.
A process began, the ‘Highland Clearances’, the forced eviction of inhabitants of the Highlands and western islands of Scotland. The removals cleared the land of people primarily to allow for the introduction of sheep pastoralism. The Highland Clearances resulted in the destruction of the traditional clan society and began a pattern of rural depopulation and emigration from Scotland.
Who is Robert Burns?
Known in Scotland as ‘The Bard’, Robert Burns was a Scottish poet. He wrote in the Scots language, English with some Scottish words, and standard English. He also revised a lot of traditional folk songs by changing or adding lyrics. He wrote Auld Land Syne.
What is the Enlightenment?
During the 18th century, new ideas about politics, philosophy and science were developed. Many of the great thinkers of the Enlightenment were Scottish.
- Adam Smith: economics
- David Hume: human nature
- James Watt: steam power - helped the progress of the Industrial Revolution.
What was one of the most important principles of the Enlightenment?
One of the most important principles of the Enlightenment was that everyone should have the right to their own political and religious beliefs and that the state should not try to dictate to them. This continues to be an important principle in the UK today.
What was the importance of the Industrial Revolution?
Before the 18th century, agriculture was the biggest source of employment in Britain. There were many cottage industries, where people worked from home to produce goods such as cloth and lace.
The Industrial Revolution was the rapid development of industry in Britain in the 18th and 19th centuries. Britain was the first country to industrialise on a large scale. It happened because of the development of machinery and the use of steam power. Agriculture and the manufacturing of goods became mechanised. This made things more efficient and increased production. Coal and other raw materials were needed to power the new factories. Many people moved from the countryside and started working in the mining and manufacturing industries.
Who was Richard Arkwright?
Born in 1732, Richard Arkwright originally trained and worked as a barber. He was able to dye hair and make wigs. When wigs became less popular, he started to work in textiles. He improved the original carding machine. Carding is the process of preparing fibres for spinning into yarn and fabric. He also developed horse-driven spinning mills that used only one machine. This increased the efficiency of production. Later he used the steam engine to power machinery. Arkwright is particularly remembered for the efficient and profitable way that he ran his factories.
What is the significance of the Bessemer process?
The Bessemer process for the mass production of steel led to the development of the shipbuilding industry and the railways. Manufacturing jobs became the main source of employment in Britain.
How did transport develop during the Industrial Revolution?
Better transport links were needed to transport raw materials and manufactured goods. Canals were built to link the factories to towns and cities and to the ports, particularly in the new industrial areas in the middle and north of England.
How were working conditions during the Industrial Revolution?
Working conditions were very poor during the Industrial Revolution. There were no laws to protect employees, who were often forced to work long hours in dangerous situations. Children also worked and were treated in the same way as adults. Sometimes they were treated even more harshly.
