English Civil War: Crash Course European History #14

Summary

This Crash Course episode explores 17th-century European absolutism's impact on Britain, focusing on King James I's and his son Charles I's attempts to consolidate power. It discusses religious tensions, the rise of Parliament, and the English Civil War, leading to Charles I's execution. The episode also covers Oliver Cromwell's rule, the Restoration under Charles II, and the Glorious Revolution, which established parliamentary sovereignty and influenced Enlightenment thought.

Takeaways

• 👑 James I of England believed in the Divine Right of kings, aspiring to unite and rule over Wales, England, Scotland, and Ireland as one cohesive kingdom.
• 🏴󠁧󠁳󠁮󠁧󠁡󠁿 The diverse religious, ethnic, and economic backgrounds of the British Isles led to significant disagreements among Calvinists, Catholics, and Anglicans.
• 🤔 James I's attempt to enforce English laws and Anglicanism across his kingdoms and his efforts to marry into European royalty to maintain peace only exacerbated divisions.
• 👑 Charles I, son of James I, also believed in the divine right of kings and faced opposition from various social classes, including the gentry and merchant classes.
• 📜 The Petition of Right in 1628 was a significant check on the king's power, stating that the King couldn't raise taxes without parliament's permission.
• 🔄 Charles I's decision to stop calling parliament into session was a move towards absolutism and led to increased tensions with Parliament.
• 💔 The English Civil War (1642-1646) was fought between the Royalists (Cavaliers) and the Parliamentarians (Roundheads), ending with the execution of Charles I.
• 🗽 The period also saw the effects of the Little Ice Age and the Bubonic plague, which led to widespread death and resistance to Charles I's policies.
• 🏰 Oliver Cromwell emerged as a powerful figure during this time, leading the New Model Army and eventually ruling as a dictatorial figure after the war.
• 👑 Charles II was summoned back to the throne in 1660, marking the beginning of the Restoration era, which was a period of creativity but also further tragedy.
• 📜 The Glorious Revolution of 1688 saw the end of the Stuart dynasty's absolutist rule in England, with the introduction of the Bill of Rights to ensure parliamentary sovereignty.

Q & A

What was King James I's view on the Divine Right of kings?

King James I believed in the Divine Right of kings to have absolute power, similar to the French Catholic belief in absolutism.

Why did King James VI of Scotland become King James I of England?

King James VI of Scotland became King James I of England after the death of the childless Queen Elizabeth I in 1603.

What was King James I's plan to unite his kingdoms?

King James I aimed to unite his holdings in Wales, England, Scotland, and Ireland into a more cohesive whole by taking the title of King of Great Britain and promoting English laws and Anglicanism across all his kingdoms.

How did the religious diversity in the British Isles impact King James I's rule?

The religious diversity, including Calvinists (Presbyterians in Scotland), Catholics, and Anglicans, led to significant disagreements and challenges to King James I's efforts to promote Anglicanism.

Who was Henrietta Maria and how did her marriage to Charles impact divisions in England?

Henrietta Maria was the Catholic sister of France’s Louis XIII. Her marriage to Charles, son of James I, furthered divisions because she refused to convert to Anglicanism and became a target for opponents from various factions.

What was the Petition of Right and why was it significant?

The Petition of Right was an agreement by Charles I in 1628 that the King couldn't raise taxes without parliament’s permission, signifying a check on the monarch's power.

How did Charles I's approach to governance lead to the English Civil War?

Charles I's belief in the divine right of kings and his attempt to rule without parliament, including stopping the parliamentary sessions, led to the English Civil War between the Cavaliers (loyal to the king) and the Roundheads (loyal to Parliament).

Who was Oliver Cromwell and what was his role in the English Civil War?

Oliver Cromwell was the leader of the Parliamentary forces' New Model Army. He played a key role in capturing and executing Charles I, leading to the establishment of the English republic.

What were the challenges faced by Oliver Cromwell during his rule as Lord Protector?

Oliver Cromwell faced challenges in maintaining unity within his New Model Army and government, as well as dealing with religious factions and dissenters, despite his efforts to establish a stable Puritan regime.

Why was Charles II summoned to the throne in 1660?

Charles II was summoned to the throne in 1660 after the period of the English republic and the rule of Oliver Cromwell ended, with the aim of restoring a monarchy that would be more aligned with parliamentary interests.

What was the significance of the 'Restoration' period under Charles II?

The 'Restoration' period under Charles II marked a time of creativity, discovery, and a return to cultural and artistic prosperity, but also continued religious and political tensions, culminating in further outbreaks of plague and the Great Fire of London.

How did the Glorious Revolution of 1688-1689 change the course of English history?

The Glorious Revolution led to the overthrow of James II and the installation of William III and Mary II as monarchs who agreed to rule under a Bill of Rights, establishing a constitutional monarchy and limiting the powers of the king.

What were the key ideas presented by Thomas Hobbes and John Locke that influenced the political climate of the time?

Thomas Hobbes advocated for an absolutist government in his book 'Leviathan', arguing that it provided stability and protection, while John Locke, in his 'Two Treatises of Government', argued for a government that protected natural rights and freedoms, aligning more with the principles of the Glorious Revolution.