Historical Context of UK Politics Flashcards
What was the Magna Carta?
An agreement signed in 1215 guarantying the freedom of the church from royal interference and limited the king’s power.
What conditions were placed under the Magna Carta?
King couldn’t raise taxes without consent.
Right to trial by jury was guaranteed.
Justice had to be free and fair.
How did the Magna Carta impact the country?
The Magna Carta establishes the pathway to parliament as this is the first time power was given to anybody other than the king.
What is the Bill of Rights?
The Bill of Rights was a declaration of rights drafted by parliament in 1689.
What were some of the key provisions of the Bill of Rights?
Only parliament could pass or remove laws.
Raising or keeping an army unless consented was made illegal.
MP’s must be elected in free elections.
How did the Bill of Rights impact the country?
Removed interference in elections
Outlines the key rights and freedoms.
What was the Act of Settlement?
The Act of Settlement was an act of parliament in 1701 which ensured a Protestant succession to the English throne.
What else did the Act of Settlement establish?
The monarch had to be a member of the Church of England.
The monarch also couldn’t be Catholic or be married to a Catholic.
Parliament had to give consent if the monarch wanted to take England to war.
How did the Act of Settlement impact the country?
Act of Settlement influenced the Church of England upon the monarch and people
What were the Parliament Acts?
The Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949 prevented the Lords from ever rejecting a proposal that had popular support
What did the Acts of Parliament do?
Gave the House of Commons exclusive power over money bills.
Allowed the Lords to reject a bill for 2 years only (In 1949 this was reduced this to 1 year).
Reduced the duration of Parliament from 7 to 5 years.
What was the European Communities Act?
The European Communities Act allowed the UK to join European Economic Community
