Lecture 1: The Problem of Revolution

Transcription

1 Lecture 1: The Problem of Revolution 20/01/2015 9:57 AM Introduction: The Problem of Revolution Stuarts James I Charles I Interregnum Charles II James II Until 1708, England and Scotland were separate countries even though they were ruled by the same king Ireland was its own kingdom until 1801 Two Revolutions The 17 th century is the century of revolution in England o The only two in English history The Great Rebellion/Revolution o The first great revolution of the modern times, followed by American, French, Chinese and Russian o A large number of English people, in the name of Parliament took up arms against a supposedly tyrannical king! 2 civil wars, both against Charles " people won both times! Puritans, led by Oliver Cromwell, defeated and executed Charles I in 1949 " This was the only time that a king was executed as he was in power in European history " Monarchy abolished and Parliament ruled for 11 years Only time in English history that it was a republic During five of these years ( ), Cromwell was Lord Protectorate of England and had military rule o Then Charles II restored the monarchy Led to Glorious Revolution ( ) o Less bloody and quicker than the first revolution o Lasting effects

2 ! Many effects of first revolution reversed because of restoration! William of Orange (William III of England) led large expedition to England from Holland with English and Scottish exiles " Invited to protect English constitution from Catholic and tyrannical king James II William came to advance his own claim to the throne (his wife was the daughter of the king and he was the king s nephew) " William and Mary agreed to Bill of Rights (England) and took the throne Parliament passed bills to restrict monarchy and advance Parliament s power Definitions Revolution o An abrupt or sudden change in political power that involves either the use or the threat of force and brings about a fundamental transformation of the system of government! Must be sudden! Location of political power leads to changes in economics, society, etc. " All changes flow from change in political system of government! Force must be used or threatened " People keep power and do not relinquish it unless they are threatened! Must bring a fundamental transformation of the system of government " Different from a coup because coup changes the personnel and not the system Was the glorious Revolution a coup or a revolution?! Is it a revolution if it s not successful or the effects are reversed? " Not successful: attempted

3 " Effects reversed: was the revolution s effects legitimate or accepted Causes Deep division in understanding development of revolutions o Short-term: rebellion to current regime! Puritan Rebellion " Look at Charles I s policies in previous five years and how these policies alienated Puritans! Glorious Revolution " Look at James II s policies since 1687 to protect Catholics o Long term: must study a longer-term view! Must find structural causes or pre-conditions " Must have these preconditions, but short-term causes actually spark revolutions! Preconditions: " Weakness of the government Broke, no standing army " Divisions within the ruling class Anglicans versus Puritans Royalists versus Parliamentarians " Social and economic change Rise of the gentry " Ideological conflict Puritanism Political ideologies " Crisis of confidence in the established order Loss of faith in king, titled aristocracy, the court and the church Effects These revolutions determined the basic political system for the next 300 years Spelled the defeat of absolutism and establishment of Parliamentary and constitutional monarchy Established triumph of English aristocracy

4 o Most durable and powerful aristocracy in all of Europa and lose power later than other aristocracies Limited religious toleration Provided environment for rich political philosophy in England

5 Lecture 2: The New King 20/01/2015 9:57 AM The New King Dynastic change and revolution 1603 Elizabeth dies and succeeded by James I o Tudors to Stuarts Stuarts ruled Scotland o James I of England, James XI of Scotland! Already ruled Scotland for some time 1603 often used as start date for Great Revolution, even though the actual conflict began in 1642 o In the short term, the rebellion was a reaction to Charles I o Long-term: no point to start in 1603! Many things such a s rise of gentry and Puritanism began in reign of Elizabeth! It makes more sense to start history of revolution before or after ascendancy of James o 1603?! James reign changed the image of monarchy " Loss of respect for monarchy! Encouraged constitutional conflict in government! Disastrous appointments " Loss of respect in court and prevented England from solving serious problems The Elizabethan Monarchy She had an amazing ability to command people s respect for her and the monarchy o In person and a lot more in pictures! She called attention to her strengths and virtues and conceal her weaknesses and deficiencies " She was everywhere " Always depicted and presented in a graceful and dignified way " Emphasize her moral superiority and her virginity An attempt to turn two liabilities into assets o She was a female ruler o She didn t have a spouse! No man to guide her

6 " At the time of Reformation Protestants minimized value of Virgin Mary, but medieval culture had a respect for virgins o She directed respect for Virgin Mary for Elizabeth! Helped counter her liabilities! Presented herself as the Mother of all English men " Embodiment of England She was able to avert constitutional conflict o Very effective politician! Tactics " Refused to let Parliamentary members The royal prerogative was sacred and mysterious an didn t want to talk about it " Used her prerogative to pass her critics bills " Amazing oratory skills to calm political atmosphere whenever it was rising Able to avert it during her reign Excellent appointments o Sir William Cecil (Lord Burghley), Sir Francis Walsingham! Able to establish a type of bureaucratic government " Ran more smoothly! Never let these men dominate her " When Lord of Essex tried to dominate her, he was stripped of his power and tried him for treason! Determined to stay above factions The New Royal Image Assets: o Very intelligent! book knowledge, photographic memory! very flexible and subtle mind! School Master of the Realm o Much less deceptive than Elizabeth! Open, honest forthright

7 o More merciful than Elizabeth! Never imprisoned men without reason, very fair o Much less stingy! Very generous " Maybe too much, almost extravagant o Funny, great sense of humor James failed where Elizabeth had succeeded, especially in image o Weak, diseased, drinking problem! Not a very royal image! Gout, malaria, etc. as well as porphyria " Genetic disorder within the royal family o Very little about how stately he was presented to the people! Also quite unattractive! Bisexual " Wife and also had homosexual relationships with two men, including Duke of Buckingham " Very open about it " Made him seem morally unattractive " Rendered him morally repugnant In 1685, Stephen College was tried for shaming Charles II by making fun of James I s sexual preference o Scottish nationality! Alien king, thick Scottish accent, fraternized with Scottish favorites! Reigned both Scotland and England but not really united the people " Both countries hated each other o Never gave the image that he was very attentive to the people! More dedicated to the hunt! Didn t cultivate very good PR Hurt the image of the monarchy o Charles I didn t help the image James s Political Theory Provoked political and constitutional conflict

8 o Ignorant of English law and didn t know how to deal with Parliament o Had a clear idea of what he thought the king ought to do! Increase royal power and minimize Parliament s power Political ideas o King holds power by divine right o King has absolute power o King is responsible to God alone o King meets Parliament at his grace and to receive advice Problems wasn t the ideas but o James like to talk about these powers publicly! Submitting these notions to Parliament o When he articulated these notions, he exaggerated connection between God and kings o Failed to admit the king was limited in many ways! He was responsible to the law! Could not make laws without Parliament o In 1604 Form of Apology! James was misinformed about King and constitution " Powers of prerogative expanding daily! Outlined rights and limits and responsibilities of the throne

9 Lecture 3: Political Factions at the Court of King James I 20/01/2015 9:57 AM Political Factions at the Court of King James I The Howards and their Opponents The main constitutional issue that leads to the Civil War o King s prerogative was exaggerated Duke of Buckingham worst appointment o ! virtually rules England in this time The main goal of the factions was to gain favor of the king and secure positions o Tried to influence the king s policies! Hand-out Until 1614, Howards had most positions on Privy Council and at court o But did not dominate because they had to deal with the Scots and Cecil! The Scots " Very little formal power, James was reluctant to grant positions to the Great informal power o Countrymen and friends, gave advice, etc. Treated very well by the king Favored a union with Scotland As reign progressed, Robert Carr became very important o Knighted in 1607 o Viscount in 1611 o Earl in 1613! Sits on Privy Council o Sexual relations with James o Does not side with either Howards or opposition! With Cecil, holds balance of power! Robert Cecil

10 " Son of William Cecil (advisor to Elizabeth) " Inherited his father s power " Part of biggest faction fight under Elizabeth Essex versus Cecil " James was tied to Essex faction, but then realizes Cecil helped his succession Kept him on Very fond of him, very appreciative of his administrative skills " Not part of either faction Kept peace between them " Howards and Cecil both wanted peace with Spanish in 1604 " Cecil dies in 1612 Factional strife becomes much worse Frances Howard Affair Howards try to maximize power by marrying Robert Carr and Howard s daughter o They have an affair! Overbury is a Protestant faction o Frances Howard already married to Earl of Essex! Family of Essex restored in 1604 by James " Marriage when they were very young Politically motivated Was it a valid marriage -> disaster o Had to get it annulled! Apparently never consummated the marriage! He may have been drugged! She detested him The anti-howard faction did everything to try and prevent the annulment o Frances detested because of her moral character! She slept around with everyone, including Prince henry o George Abbott believed that Essex s selective impotence was drug-induced