Seven Steps to Limited Monarchy

beginning of the English Civil War

Aug 22, 1642

The English Civil War marked the breaking of tensions between Charles I's tyrannical attempts to rule without consent of Parliament and Parliament's view that the king should have to answer to them to properly rule. This war spans nine years of pitting supporters of Charles I against supporters of Parliament. image source:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_I_with_M._de_St_Antoine_(1633);_Anthony_Van_Dyck.jpg

Charles I executed

Jan 30, 1649

The beheading of Charles I demonstrated the king's complete loss of power and this point in England's government. A makeshift Rump Parliament had been established and set up a High Court of Justice for the trial of Charles I for treason. He was found guilty and Parliament then temporarily abolished the monarchy, House of Lords, and the Anglican church. image source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Contemporary_German_print_depicting_Charles_Is_beheading.jpg

Cromwell disbands Parliament

Apr 20, 1653

Cromwell was one of the signatories of Charles I's death warrant and a member of the Rump Parliament. After Charles's execution, it looked as though tyrannical rule was over in England. However, Cromwell proved to be just as controlling as Charles I, and he disbanded the Parliament he had so fervently fought for. image source:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oliver_Cromwell_coloured_drawing.png

James II takes the throne

Apr 23, 1685

James II was infamous for his unwilligness to compromise when his advisers disagreed. He repealed the Test Act and only appointed Catholics to office. He sought safety in an enlarged standing army and ordered Parliament prorogued. image source:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:James_II_%26_VII.jpg

William of Orange invades England

Nov 5, 1688

William of Orange, husband of James II's daughter Mary invaded England with a union of English Parliamentarians upon the birth of James II's son. This overthrow led to the passage of the Bill of Rights and Act of Toleration, which exluded Catholicism. image source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:King_William_III_of_England,_(1650-1702)_(lighter).jpg

George I takes the throne

Aug 1, 1714

George I inherited the throne of Great Britain and Ireland as the first monarch of the House of Hanover, being Queen Anne's closest Protestant relative. His reign saw the diminishing of the powers of the monarchy and a transition to the cabinet system of government ruled by a prime minister. image source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:King_George_I_by_Sir_Godfrey_Kneller,_Bt_(3).jpg

Robert Walpole becomes prime minister

Apr 1, 1721

The position of "prime minister" had no official recognition at this time, but Robert Walpole's influence in Cabinet leads to his general acknowledgement as the first prime minister of England. image source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Retuched_Painting_of_Robert_Walpole.jpg