Revolution in England and America

1
Revolution in England and America
2
Introduction

• The road to Democracy has been a long one. In
  this section we will look at what Democracy is
  as well as how it developed. Our focus is on
  Democracy in England and America. In England
  absolutism created many conflicts that needed a
  solution, this ended in war and revolution.
  Revolution in America had a great impact on the
  spread of democratic ideals.

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What is Democracy?

• A government based on the consent of the
  governed. Each citizen has a voice in the
  government, by his or her vote and by his or her
  right to run for office. Democracy is based on
  majority rule. In a direct democracy all
  citizens may participate directly in government.
  In a representative democracy, elected officials
  act on behalf of the voters.

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Democracy

• In a democracy people need to be able to vote.
  The process of voting is useless unless people
  are informed and able to vote freely.
• People must have freedom of speech to become
  informed. They need freedom of press, religious
  liberty, and freedom of assembly.
• These freedoms enable people to explore all areas
  and discuss different points of view.

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Democracy Continued

• A democracy must have laws to ensure that all
  people have rights. This includes people who
  have been accused of a crime, that they receive
  fair and quick trials and freedom from cruel and
  unusual punishments.
• Democracy is based on government that is decided
  by the people. In a democracy people have more
  rights than in other forms of government but also
  the responsibility not to abuse them.

6
Switzerland and Holland

• In 1291 Swiss cantons (districts) of the Holy
  Roman Empire broke away and set up governments of
  their own. In the middle of the 14th century
  they were joined by more districts and created
  the country of Switzerland.
• These cantons elected a common body to act as a
  central government.
• Switzerland was the first country in Europe to
  take this step towards democracy.

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William the Silent (1533-1584)

• Led the Dutch in fighting the Spanish in 1581.
• Fought for the Dutch Republic (United Provinces).
• He recognized the independence of the Dutch
  Republic as well as Switzerland.
• Was killed by an assassin in 1584.

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Change of England
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Henry VII

• Became the king of England after a long period of
  war. He hoped that he could bring peace to
  England.
• Favoured the middle class and worked closely with
  parliament.
• A strong central government was set up by
  advisers appointed by the king.

10
James I

• Was not liked by the people of England because he
  was a Scot.
• James struggled with his rule of England and made
  many mistakes.
• One of his biggest mistakes was to do with
  religion. He did not support the Roman Catholic
  religion. Instead he gave most of his support to
  the Anglican Church. This did not satisfy many of
  the people in England.
• Parliament was unwilling to give James any
  financial control because of the irritation he
  caused. Since he was not able to invest money in
  area where he saw fit, unemployment increases and
  the financial situation on England got worse.

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Charles I

• Money problems, religious problems, and foreign
  problems brought about a clash between monarch
  and parliament.
• Parliament refused to give money to Charles.
• Charles had to agree to certain rules in order to
  get the finances he needed. (Petition of Rights)
• 1. Could not make arrests without giving reasons
  for the arrests.
• 2. Soldiers could not be housed in peoples homes
  if they did not want them.
• People began to leave England because Charles
  wanted they to worship God the way he did.

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Civil War 1642-1646

• Charles I was determined to rule by absolutes
  force.
• He was forced to create a new parliament to get
  the necessary funds to fight invading Scotland.
• Parliament passed laws to limit the power of the
  monarch.
• The members of Parliament were out to break the
  absolute powers of the monarch. Charles use of
  force was met by force and this started a civil
  war.

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Cavaliers vs Roundheads

• Cavaliers supported the King
• - they were made up of aristocrats, Catholics,
  Anglicans, and land holders
• Roundheads supported Parliament
• - made up of merchants and Puritans
• The Roundheads Won!

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The Stuarts Return

• After a dictator ruling by a military leader
  named Oliver Cromwell, the people we dissatisfied
  with his rule and demanded the return of the
  Stuarts.
• The term used to describe the return of Charles
  II to the throne is called Restoration.

15
Revolution in England
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The Test Act

• Only Anglicans could take part in government.
• This act was a step backwards for democracy.
• It was an act of religious intolerance.

17
Habeas Corpus Act (1679)

• This act assured that the people would receive a
  speedy and fair trial.
• It prevented persecution of an individual without
  evidence of a crime.
• This act was the first to give rights and
  freedoms to every person under the rule of the
  monarchy.

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The Glorious Revolution

• Parliament did not want another catholic to
  become ruler of England.
• They invited William the III of Holland and his
  wife Mary Stuart to become King and Queen of
  England.
• James the II fled to France and William took
  power without a fight. This was know as the
  Glorious Revolution.

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Results of the Glorious Revolution

• The glorious revolution was a limited monarchy in
  England. This meant that before William and Mary
  could take power they had to agree to do certain
  things.
• The Bill of Rights was the system that made the
  laws in England.
• The people were given the right to petition which
  meant they could ask the monarch to correct
  abuses.
• People were guaranteed to fair and speedy trials.
  A standing army at peacetime was considered
  illegal.

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Acts of the Revolution

• Tolerance Act Gave Puritans the right to have
  their own churches.
• Act of Settlement Only those of protestant
  faith could rule England.
• Act of Union United England and Scotland to
  form one nation, Great Britain.

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Undemocratic Features Remain

• Democracy was not achieved all at once.
• Only owners of large amounts of land were allowed
  to vote.
• Parliament was not truly democratic because it
  was made up of wealthy people and aristocrats.
• There was a lot of political corruption, because
  a secret ballot was not yet established.
• This inspired the people in America, they wanted
  the same treatment.