Constitutionalism

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Terms: ID the following terms. Include any and all information that you feel is relevant to the term. If possible identify any other IDs your term is related to.


 * Constitutionalism-** the idea, often associated with the political theories of John Locke and the "founders" of the American republic, and equated with the concept of //regula iuris//, the "Rule of Law", that government can and should be legally limited in its powers, and that its authority depends on enforcing these limitations. A form of government in which power is limited by law and balanced between the authority and power of the government on the one hand and the rights and liberties of the subject or citizen on the other hand; could include constitutional monarchies or republics.


 * gentry-** refers to people of good social position connected to landed estates, upper levels of the clergy, and "gentle" families of long descent who never obtained the official right to bear a coat of arms


 * House of Commons-** the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, one of the groups that caused the English Civil War


 * Stuart Dynasty-** believed in divine right and absolutism. This is the royal family of England up until Charles Edward Stuart. The royal family contained all four of the British kings that served during the British civil war including James I and II as well as Charles I and II and William and Mary of Orange.


 * James I-** was the first to call himself King of Great Britain, fought with the Parliament many times throughout his rule causing the English Civil War between the Parliamentarians and Monarchists


 * “divine right” of Kings:** The belief that the kings got their power from God. The kings forced their people to believe that they have a relationship with God and that there was a reason why that king was ruling. The people then treated the king very God-like. You see this represented a lot in art. In artwork, God is always portrayed bigger and stronger. In the time period where divine right was popular the king was drawn in proportion to God, only a little smaller. However, the King was always the closest to God. This belief was very popular in Europe but never popular in America. Ended with John Locke (1632-1704, social contract theorist). He believed that divine right was not correct and that individuals were born equal and with natural rights that no king had the right to void.


 * Charles I -** Was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from March 27, 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament in England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal perogative which Charles believed was divinely ordained. Many of his English subjects opposed his actions, in particular his interference in the English and Scottish churches and the levying of taxes without parliamentary consent, because they saw them as those of a tyrannical absolute monarch.


 * Petition of Right, 1628-** a major English constitutional document that specifies liberties that the king is prohibited from infringing upon.

“**ship money”** - Tax that Charlies I of England tried to levy without the consent of Parliament. This tax, which was applied only to coastal towns during a time of war, was intended to offset the cost of defending that part of the coast, and could be paid in actual ships or the equivalent value. This conflict was one of the causes of the English Civil War. Was revived to gain tax money. It was an older/outdated way to tax.

“**Short Parliament**” - was a Parliament of England that sat from April 13 to May 5, 1640 during the reign of King Charles I of England, so called because it only lasted three weeks. Charles's attempted to offer to cease the lvying of ship money did not impress the Members of Parliament. A flood of petitions concerning abuses were coming up to Parliament from the country. Ultimately, Charles dissolved the body.


 * “Long Parliament**” - was established on November, 3 1640 to pass financial bills, following the Bishops' Wars. It recieved its name from the fact that through an Act of Parliament, it could be dissolved only with the agreement of the members, and those members did not agree to its dissolution until after the English Civil War. The Long Parliament and the republican views of many members of the Long Parliament are believed by some historians as a precursor to the American revolution based on the same republican principles.

A**rchbishop Laud -** William Laud was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1633 to 1645. One of the High Church Caroline divines, he opposed radical forms of Puritanism. This, and his support for King Charles I, resulted in his beheading in the midst of the English Civil War.


 * English Civil War**- War between the Parliamentarians and monarchists of England which resulted in the ousting and execution of King Charles and Oliver Cromwell coming to power.


 * Cavaliers-** Name used by Parliamentarians for a Royalist supporter of King Charles I and son Charles II during the English Civil War, the Interregnum, and The Restoration.


 * Roundheads-** Name given to the supporters of the Parliament during the English Civil War. They fought against King Charles I and his supports, the Cavaliers who claimed absolute power and the divine right of the kings. The goal of the Roundhead party was to give the Parliament supreme control over executive administration.


 * Oliver Cromwell-** Gained power when he established self rule over the king. He had an army which was loyal to him, which allowed him to do this. The english eventually declared war on him, where he became the ruler of England after leading the parliamentarians "Roundheads" to victory during the English civil war. Militant leader who ran his country as a military dictatorship. Exiled King Charles the II so that he could rule. Had new policies that improved travel and things for the poor.


 * Independent**


 * New Model Army-** The New Model Army of England was formed in 1645 by the Parliamentarians in the English Civil War, and was disbanded in 1660 after the Restoration. It differed from other armies in the series of civil wars referred to as the Wars of the Three Kingdoms in that it was intended as an army liable for service anywhere in the country, rather than being tied to a single area or garrison. Its soldiers became full-time professionals, rather than part time milita.


 * Pride’s Purge** was an event that took place in December 1648, during the Second English Civil War, when troops under the command of Colonel Thomas Pride forcibly removed from the Long Parliament all those who were not supporters of the Grandees in the New Model Army and the Independents. It is arguably the only military coup d'etat in English History.

“**Rump” Parliament-** Parliament that was left after Cromwell dismissed members who did not share his beliefs. This parliament was smaller and agreed with Cromwell. Essentially yes men.


 * Levellers-** were a political movement during the English Civil War which emphasized popular sovereignty, extended suffrage, equality before the law, and religious tolerance, all of which were expressed in the manifesto "Agreement of the People"

__**Diggers-**__ A dissenting group of Protestant agrarians who preaches economic equality and tried equaling real property to make this equality happen.


 * Quakers-** non catholic, non violent religious group. Started about in 1660 by George Fox. A seperate group off of Christians. They came to the New World to seek religious freedom from English kings and Queens.


 * Interregnum** is the name generally given by monarchists to the //de facto// republic which ruled first England, and then Ireland and Scotland from 1649 to 1660, following the English Civil War. It began with the overthrow, and execution, of Charles I in January 1649, and ended with the restoration of Charles II on May 29, 1660.


 * Protectorate-** an autonomous territory that is protected diplomatically or militarily against third parties by a stronger state or entity, in exchange for this, the protectorate usually accepts specified obligations, which may vary greatly, depending on the real nature of their relationship


 * Restoration -** the reestablishment of the monarchy of England. Charles II was brought back and the houses of Parliament, justices of peace and anglican church were all restored.


 * Charles II-** King of England. Was defeated by Oliver Cromwell in battle. Oliver Cromwell took over as King. After Oliver Cromwell died with no heir, Charles was invited to return to Britain after exile in France. Charles was in exile for nine years.


 * Test Act, 1673** - legislation passed by the English Parliament to secure the position of the Anglican Church by stripping Puritans, Catholics and other dissenters the right to vote, preach, assemble, hold public office and attend or teach at universities. Later Charles manipulated this act when he made a secret deal with Louis XIV and in return was more compassionate towards the Catholics, so the regulations were not absolute.


 * //Habeas Corpus Act//, 1679-** act against wrongful imprisonment passed during the reign of King Charles II,


 * James II-** ascended the throne upon the death of his brother, Charles II. Members of Britain's political and religious elite increasingly opposed him for being pro-French and pro-Catholic, and for his designs on becoming an absolute monarch. Parliament and leading nobles offered the throne to William of Orange, which he did. James fled to France concluding Glorious Revolution of 1688.

“**Glorious Revolution”-** the overthrow of James II, he flees to France as William of Orange and Mary are offered the throne by the protestant daughter of James. This event marked the end of divine right in England and that parliament was in power. William and Mary set up a Declaration of Rights that stated elections would be held every three years, parliament could hold free debate, and judges were independent and did not answer to the king. Also, there was no standing army in peace time and protestants were given the right to possess arms.


 * William and Mary of Orange**.-

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From 1689 he reigned as William III over [|England] and [|Ireland] As King of [|Scotland], he is known as William II. In what became known as the " [|Glorious Revolution] ", on 5 November 1688 William invaded England in an action that ultimately deposed King [|James II & VII] and won him the crowns of England, Scotland and Ireland. In the [|British Isles], William ruled jointly with his wife, [|Mary II] , until her death on 28 December 1694 =====

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A [|Protestant], William participated in several wars against the powerful Catholic king of France, [|Louis XIV] , in coalition with Protestant and Catholic powers in Europe. =====


 * __Bill of Rights__-** A series of conditions Parliament instituted when William and Marry took over the monarchy. Basically it asserted the Parliamentary right of complete control and took power away from the monarch.


 * John Locke,** //**Second Treatise** **of Civil Government -**// John Locke was a influencial philosopher. //Second Treatise of Civil Government// was Locke's beliefs that the government's function is to protect the natural rights (life, liberty, and property) of the people and if the government does not protect these rights the people have the right to rebel. He believed that private property was linked to political freedom.


 * Toleration Act, 1689 -** granted freedom of worship to nonconformists.The nonconformists would have to take a oath of alligenance and supermacy. It did not apply to Catholics.

__**Act of Settleme**__**__nt, 1701__-** Direct heirs die off without a legitimate heir. States English crown can be passed down to royal line of Scotland.


 * __Act of Union, 1707__-** Formalizes union of Scotland and England. Makes the UK, Scotland recognizes British Kings and Queens.

__**Cabinet system**__ - Leading ministers who have seats in and the support of the House of Commons who could form common policy and run the business of the country.


 * __Prime Minister-__** The most senior member of cabinet in a parliamentary system. Is able to dismiss people from the cabinet and assign tasks, among other duties within the parliament.


 * United Provinces of the Netherlands**

(**Dutch Republic**)-The 17th century was the Golden Age of the Netherlands. Regents handled domestic affairs in estates and assemblies while the federal assembly/states general handeled foreign war. Their success is due to their extremely increased commercial prosperity due to being thrifty and frugal, and religiously tolerant. Their society accepted the Jewish population which helped bring in foreign investors. The Netherlands dominated the shipping business and fishing industry, as well.


 * stadholder -** The executive officer in each of the United Provinces of the Netherlands and are responsible for military defense. Positions were often held by the princes of Orange.


 * Dutch Reformed church:** Dutch was starting to grow out of the Roman Catholic Church in 1570's. Started to look into Protestant and Calvinism. They looked to John Calvin for new teachings.


 * __Amsterdam__-** A port and city, and Capital of the Netherlands. Could be called the banking capital of Europe and it has a very stable and successful economy.


 * Dutch East India Co**.- major dutch trading company. dealt with spice trade and was one of europe's major companies of trade overseas. Started in 1602 by the Netherlands. They commissioned a 21 year old man, to see what they could trade. They started up trading. Big trades were slaves.


 * Gustavus Adolphu**s- leader of the swedish army. Helped led Sweden to military supermacy during the Thirty Year War. Which in the end helped get its power and balance back in Europe. Was 16 when he took the throne from his father. He was 17 when he started commanding troops.

As a group please outline the following essay question. Your outline should include a thesis statement and the information that would be used in three supporting paragraphs.

1. Analyze the developement of Constitutionalism in England during the 17th century.