Constitutionalism Flashcards
Which countries were Anti-absolutist?
England, Netherlands, Sweden, and Poland
When were England’s revolutions?
1642-1660 and 1688-1689
What was the end result of the English revolutions?
Overthrow of 2 kings, election of parliament, and guarantee of rights to the citizens
What is constitutionalism?
Rulers share power with a parliament if elected representatives
Why did the English Civil War 1642 happen?
It broke out between the parliment and the king over the role of the church in England
What did the Petition of Right 1628 do?
It defined that the king could not levy taxes without the consent of parliament
What is Charles’ I loophole to the Petition of Right?
He just ices them out from 1629 to 1640
What was the main religion of England under Charles I
Anglican (puritan majority)
What religion did Charles I prefer?
Catholicism
How did Charles I respond to the Puritans rising up against his Catholic practices?
Arrests, beatings, exiles, and violently silencing Puritains publicly
Who came to help the Puritans in England?
The scottish launched an invasion to insight a political crisis
What does the war against the Scots force Charles I to do?
Call parliament into session
What happened when parliament was finally called back into session?
They challenged Charles’ I tax proposals and undid policies passed when they were not in secession
What was Charles I fighting?
A two from war against the Scots and parliament
When was Charles I beheaded?
1649
Who took over after Charles I?
Oliver Cromwell
What kind of regime did Cromwell run?
A Puritan Republic
How did Cromwell “see himself”
A representative of God with no tolerance
Which countries did Oliver cromwell fight expensive wars against?
Scotland and Ireland
How did Cromwell further oppress his people?
No public newspapers, spies, destabilizing certainty in society
What happened when Cromwell died in 1660?
It left a power vacuum
What happened during the Restoration?
The power went back into the monarchy
Who rose into power in 1660 after Cromwell?
Charles II with the full consent of parliament
Why was Charles II popular?
He was athletic, pretty, and granted religious freedom for Anglicans
Why does the Charles Family lose power?
They do not have any children
Who steps up after Charles II in 1685?
James II
Why wasn’t James II popular?
He was very stubborn and a practicing Catholic; pro Catholic policies mad parliament mad
How did James II break parliament?
Into the Tories and Whigs
What were the Torries’ beliefs?
Strong, hereditary monarchy and ceremonial aspects of Anglicanism (conservatives)
What were the Whigs’ beliefs?
Power of parliament and tolerance for protestants
Why did the factions rise and unite?
1688 James’ wife is pregnant and they oppose secession
What was parliaments solution to James’ heir?
Bring in the Netherlands!
What was the Glorious Revolution?
Parliament calls William and Mary (daughter of James II) from the Netherlands to wage war for the power of the throne
What surprise did William and Mary face when they arrived with 15,000 troops?
James II had already fled back to France
In 1689, what did William agree to?
The Bill of Rights
What are the key components of the 1689 Bill of Rights?
Full partnership with parliament
No taxing without consent
No standing army
Parliament must be called into secession every three years
Free elections (just nobles)
No suspending dually passed laws
Who were the Jacobites?
A Catholic opposition group who allied with the Scots
How did the Aristocracy split after the Glorious Revolution?
They split into the Peers in the House of Lords and the Gentry in the House of Commons
Who was in the Peers in the House of Lords?
100-200 Elite families (old money)
Who was in the Gentry in the House of Commons?
Landed gentelment and commercial wealth (new money)
What was the Act of Toleratin of 1689?
Tolerance of all protestants if take an oath of allegiance to England and participate in occasional Anglican communions
Who did the Act of Toleration of 1689 exclude?
Catholics, Jews, and Unitarians
