Section 5: Democratic Developments in England

Transcription

1 Chapter 1: Sources of the Democratic Tradition 2000 B.C.E. A.D Section 5: Democratic Developments in England In medieval England, the Christian church, the nobility, and monarchy had all the power and wealth and held an unsteady balance of power. Question: How did the Royal Power Grow? I. Monarchs, Nobles and the Church Feudalism a loosely organized system of rule where powerful landowners (nobles) divide their land with smaller land owners (vassals) for protection due to invasions by Vikings The church and nobles had as much power as the King and had to protected their rights and privileges from the king II. Strong Monarchs in England In the middle ages Angles, Saxons and Vikings invaded and settled in England William the Conqueror and the Norman knights took over England at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 C.E. by defeating Harold the brother in law of the dead King Edward King William had firm control over his land and had vassals swear allegiance to him first Had complete census taken for collecting taxes

2 III. Common Law In 1154, Henry II came to power and set up English common law (a legal system based on custom and court rulings) He would send out traveling judges to enforce royal laws The decisions of the royal courts became the foundation of Common law, a legal system based on customs and court rulings. Common law applied to all of England Henry II developed the idea that local citizens should take part in trials. Traveling judges would visit an area, local officials would gather men to form a jury. These early jury is an ancestry of todays juries

3 Question: What were the evolving traditions of government? I. The Magna Carta Henry II got into battles with nobles and church leaders over trying clergy in royal courts King John was know for oppressive taxes and abuse of power John, Henry s son, was forced to sign the Magna Carta, or Great Charter in 1215 by a group of Barons. Magna Carta gave nobles and the church rights (arrest and imprisonment outlawed w/o trial)due process of law Could not raise taxes w/o consultation no taxation w/o representation The Magna Carta had two very important principles It asserted the nobles had certain rights, over time those rights were given to the citizens The second was king had to obey laws

4 II. Development of Parliament In 1200s, the Great Council evolved into Parliament Parliament developed into two-houses: House of Lords Nobles and clergy House of Commons knights and middle-class III. Parliament Gains Strength Hundred Years War War with France from ; gave Parliament more power and put king in check English rulers repeatedly turned to Parliament fro funds which helped the that body win the power of the purse, or the ability to approve new taxes Now Parliament could insist that the monarch meet its demands before voting for taxes This was a way to check the balance of power with the king

5 Question: What was the Triumph of Parliament? I. The Royal Challenge From , the Tudor dynasty ruled England (Henry VIII, Elizabeth I) Henry VIII broke from Rome and formed Church of England (Protestant Reformation) The Stuarts (Elizabeth I Scottish family) took over and clashed with Parliament century of revolution Absolute Monarch a ruler with complete authority over gov t and lives of people 1 st Stuart monarch, James I agreed to rule by English law and customs, yet he behaved like and absolute monarch. He even dissolved Parliament twice in 1611 & 1614 James I s son Charles I was an absolute monarch James I would imprison foes without trials and tax his people w/o approval. Parliament made Charles I sign the Petition of Right before they would raise taxes and banned imprisonment w/o just casue.

6 II. The English Civil War English civil war, , fought by Charles I and nobles against Oliver Cromwell and Parliament Cromwell and Parliament win and execute the king impacted all of Europe Parliamentary forces had sent a clear signal that in England no ruler could claim absolute power and ignore the rules of law III. The Commonwealth After the execution of Charles I, the house of Commons abolished the monarchy, the house of Lords and the official Church of England England became a republic, known as the Commonwealth, with Cromwell in charge after Cromwell s death, Charles II came to power, supported by Catholics James II, Charles brother, became king in 1685 and installed Catholics in office IV. From Restoration to Glorious Revolution Parliament supported William and Mary and James II went to France Glorious Revolution

7 V. English Bill of Rights English Bill of Rights had to be signed by William and Mary before taking power Parliament had power over monarchy Habeas Corpus no prison w/o being charged Limited monarchy a constitution or legislative body limit the monarch s power not a democracy