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The Magna Carta was one of the first times that the monarchy had to realize the power of the common people and the rights that they have. Image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Magna_Carta#mediaviewer/File:John,_Magna_Carta.jpg
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More groups wanted more political power. For example, the Puritans and the Gentry. This event shows that groups demanding more political power realize that the monarch does not have absolute power over the people. Image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Elizabeth1.jpg
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James ignored England's common law and believed he had absolute power. This angered the people because it gave them no rights and the King was not taking into account anything, but his own interests Image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Attributed_to_Adrian_Vanson_-_James_VI_and_I,_1566_-_1625._King_of_Scotland_1567_-_1625._King_of_England_and_Ireland_1603_-_1625_-_Google_Art_Project.jp
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Charles when he assumed the throne signed the Petition of Right, but broke the petition. He reinstated Parliament when a rebellion broke out and Parliament made serious changes like the elimination of royal courts and the addition of Habeas Corpus. Image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Daniel-Mytens-Charles-I_1625-1649.jpg
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Civil War was caused when Charles tried to arrest political enemies. Oliver Cromwell eventually seized power with his army and executed Charles. This shows Charles's abuse of power leading to a distrust in having all the power in one person. Image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Cromwell#mediaviewer/File:Cromwell_at_Dunbar_Andrew_Carrick_Gow.jpg
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After Cromwell's death, Charles II was the monarch and had limited powers. His son James II ruled after Charles. James, however, made a grave mistake when he tried to support the Catholic religion. This angered the Puritans and the Gentry. Since he tried to do this without the support of Parliament the people got angry. Image Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:King_James_II_by_Sir_Godfrey_Kneller,_Bt.jpg
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In response to James trying to support Catholicism, Parliament invited Mary (James's sister) and William of Orange (Netherlands) to rule. However, they both agreed to the English Bill of Rights, which was the final step in becoming a limited constitutional monarchy. Image Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Bill_of_Rights_ratified_at_the_Revolution_by_King_William,_and_Queen_Mary,_previous_to_their_Coronation_by_J._Cary.jpg
