-
Period: to
Seven Events Leading to the Limited Monarchy in England
-
The Civil War
The Civil War in England took place under Charles I's reign who believed in the Divine Rights of Kings which meant that he thought he had superior power over parliament. This belief (also supported by Louis XIV), caused Charles I to create tariffs/ taxation to pay for the war against Spain. Instead, they created a war inside England. Parliament was malcontent with this decision because Charles I prorogued them so, the question of whether the King or Parliament has more power rose into debate. -
Bill Of Rights
After Charles I had created high tariffs and taxes in England by going over parliaments authority, the parliament responses by passing the Bill of Rights and the Petition of Rights. The petition of Rights was to revoke the tariffs. The Bill of Rights was passed to limit the power of the King to avoid them proroguing parliament again. This was a pivotal movement because it showed the rising power and authority of parliament by limiting the Kings rights. -
The Glorious Revolution
When parliament took James II off the English throne, they replaced him with William and Mary. William and Mary reign brought peace and control into the English Government. This transition was the Glorious Revolution because Parliament had gone over the King and used their power to replace him showing the gradual and progressive growth of power in parliament. This again began to start raising the questions of the King versus Parliaments powers. -
Development of Political Factions
In 1701 - 1713 during Queen Annes reign, the development of political factions (which in the future will be named parties) began to progress. This gave more power to the parliament because it was based around the citizens political beliefs rather than monarchies deciding national beliefs. This was another pivotal event that supported parliaments growing authority which weakened the power of the monarchy in early England. -
Act of Succession
In 1701, the Act of Succession was ordered to benefit the Protestants in England. This Act was passed to insure that no catholics could sit on the throne. This also allowed parliament to gain the right to decide who was going to be king. This was a strong movement in the debate towards the growing power of parliament and the monarchy because it showed how parliament had increasing authority by being able to decide who would be king of England. -
Horace Walpole Becomes First Prime Minister
In 1721, Horace Walpole became the first Prime Minister of England. This position was given power at the head of parliament and overtime, society began to question whether or not the Prime Minister of England had more power than the monarchy. However, in 1721, Horace Walpole used his power to his advantage to create sustainability and structure in England, setting the bar and forming the role of Prime Ministers to come. -
George III Insanity
In 1785, George III became mentally ill to the point where he was found speaking german to a tree thinking it was the ruler of Prussia. This causes parliament to decide to make George III's son in charge due to his fathers incapability to do so. This was a period of regency. Parliament making decisions such as this was representational of the diminishing power of the monarchy and the growth of the parliaments authority.
