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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta basically asserted that the monarch had to work within the confines of the law. Effectively, the first limit on a monarch's power. -
Petition of Right
This document said that taxes could not be levied without the consent of Parliament, no one shoulc be imprisoned unjustly, and troops should not be billeted at someone's home. This document made the monarchy look to Parliament more when it needed funding. -
Charles calling in the long Parliament
Charles had to call parliament to get funds to deal with the Scottish rebellion. What happened when Parliament reconvened was a series of laws limiting the power of the king. -
Charles trying to arrest parliament
Charles invaded Parliament, wanting to arrest some of his opponenets who then escaped. Charles then began to raise an army. In turn, Parliament started to raise an army, resulting in the next 4 years of civil war between the king and parliament. Basically the war was about who -
Glorious Revolution
Replacement of James II by William and Mary, beckoning in the constitutional monarchy. They established a Bill or Rights limiting the powers of the monarchy and giving liberties to nobles. -
John Locke Second Treatise of Civil Government
This was a very impactful work, saying that the government resided in the consent of the governed, an idea that would be welcomed by the Founding Fathers of the US. This work was speaking out against the absolutism thought that was all over Europe. -
Robert Walpole
Robert Walpole was able to become, what many call, the first prime minister of Great Britain. He spread trade, promoting peace at home, eventually turning Great Britain into a world power.
