AP European History
Unit 3 Overview: Absolutism & Constitutionalism
3.1 Context of State Building from 1648-1815
3.2 The English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution
3.3 Continuities and Changes to Economic Practice and Development from 1648-1815
3.4 Economic Development and Mercantilism
3.5 The Dutch Golden Age
3.6 Balance of Power
3.7 Absolutist Approaches to Power
3.8 Comparison in the Age of Absolutism and Constitutionalism

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3.2 The English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution

Verified for the 2025 AP European History exam•Last Updated on April 1, 2025

The English Civil War: Resistance to Absolutism

While much of Europe saw the rise of absolutism in the 17th century, England (and the Dutch) developed an alternative political system, Constitutionalism, which limited the power of the monarchy. The English Civil War (1642–1651) was a direct result of tensions between the monarchy and Parliament over issues of religion, governance, and taxation.

James I: The Divine Right of Kings

The conflict had deep roots in the Reformation, which had created lasting religious and political divisions. King James I (1603–1625), also known as James VI of Scotland, ruled over a unified England, Scotland, and Ireland. Though England was officially Anglican, James often acted in ways that favored Catholicism, angering Puritans and Protestant elites.

  • James strongly believed in the Divine Right of Kings, asserting that monarchs derived their authority from God, not Parliament.
  • He clashed with Parliament over taxation and governance, particularly when he attempted to raise funds without parliamentary approval.

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[MUST KNOW FOR SAQs!): His King James Bible (1611) reinforced royal authority over religious matters but failed to ease tensions between Anglican and Puritan factions.

Charles I: Conflict with Parliament

James was succeeded by his son, Charles I (1625–1649), whose policies further inflamed tensions between the monarchy and Parliament.

  • Religious Tensions: Charles married Henrietta Maria, a Catholic princess of France, raising fears that he sought to restore Catholicism in England.
  • The Petition of Right (1628): Parliament attempted to curb Charles’s power by passing this document, which stated that the king could not:
    • Levy taxes without Parliament’s consent.
    • Imprison citizens without due process.
    • Quarter soldiers in private homes.
    • Impose martial law in peacetime.
  • Charles ignored the Petition and ruled without Parliament for 11 years (1629–1640), a period known as the Personal Rule or "Eleven Years' Tyranny."

Charles’s belief in the Divine Right of Kings reflected the later ideas of Thomas Hobbes, a political philosopher who advocated for absolute monarchy. In his work Leviathan (1651), Hobbes argued that humans are naturally violent and selfish, requiring a strong, centralized authority to maintain order. He believed a social contract existed in which people surrendered their rights to a sovereign in exchange for peace and stability. Charles I embodied this absolutist vision, asserting that his authority was above Parliament and the people.

However, Parliament and the English people resisted this vision, ultimately leading to war.

The Road to War

Tensions escalated when Charles attempted to impose Anglican religious practices on Calvinist Scotland, sparking the Bishops’ Wars (1639–1640). Lacking funds to suppress the Scottish rebellion, he was forced to recall Parliament in 1640.

  • Short Parliament (April 1640): Dissolved after only three weeks when it refused to grant funds without reforms.
  • Long Parliament (1640–1660): Convened after Charles faced military defeats in Scotland. It sought to limit the king’s power and eventually led to open conflict.

Civil War Begins (1642–1651)

In 1642, Charles attempted to arrest opposition leaders in Parliament, but they escaped. His failed coup triggered the English Civil War, fought between:

  • Cavaliers (Royalists): Supported the king, including nobles, Anglicans, and Catholics.
  • Roundheads (Parliamentarians): Opposed the king, led by Puritans and middle-class Presbyterians who sought parliamentary reforms.

Oliver Cromwell and the Execution of Charles I

Under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell, the New Model Army defeated the Royalists. In 1649, Charles I was tried, convicted of treason, and executed—a shocking event, as no English monarch had ever been legally deposed and executed before.

  • The monarchy was abolished, and England became a Commonwealth (1649–1653), a republican government led by Parliament.
  • Cromwell crushed Irish and Scottish uprisings, leading to famine and massacres.
  • By 1653, he dismissed Parliament and ruled as Lord Protector in a military dictatorship.

The Glorious Revolution: The Establishment of Constitutional Monarchy

The Restoration and James II

After Cromwell’s death in 1658, his son Richard proved an ineffective ruler. In 1660, Parliament restored Charles II (son of Charles I) to the throne, a period known as the Restoration.

  • Charles II (r. 1660–1685) was a popular but politically weak monarch.
  • When he died, his brother James II (1685–1688) inherited the throne, but his open Catholicism and authoritarian rule provoked resistance.
    • (The English people no longer supported Catholic Monarchs)

The Glorious Revolution (1688)

Fearful of James II’s Catholic absolutism, Parliament invited William of Orange (a Dutch Protestant) and his wife, Mary (James II’s Protestant daughter), to take the throne.

  • William and Mary landed in England with an army, prompting James II to flee to France.
  • In 1689, William and Mary were crowned joint monarchs, an event known as the Glorious Revolution.
  • Unlike previous conflicts, the Glorious Revolution was bloodless and resulted in the permanent establishment of a constitutional monarchy.

The English Bill of Rights (1689) & The Triumph of John Locke’s Liberalism

The Glorious Revolution represented a shift away from Hobbesian absolutism toward the ideas of John Locke, who developed the foundation for modern liberal democracy.

  • In Two Treatises of Government (1690), Locke argued that:
    • Government is based on a social contract, but it must protect people’s natural rights (life, liberty, and property).
    • If a government fails to protect these rights, the people have the right to overthrow it.
    • Sovereignty ultimately rests with the people, not a monarch.

Locke’s ideas directly influenced the English Bill of Rights (1689), which William and Mary agreed to, establishing Parliament as supreme over the monarchy and guaranteed civil liberties.

  • The monarch could not:
    • Levy taxes or raise an army without Parliament’s consent.
    • Suspend laws at will.
    • Interfere with parliamentary elections.
  • The bill laid the foundation for constitutional monarchy and influenced later democratic movements.

The Act of Settlement (1701)

To ensure Protestant rule, Parliament passed the Act of Settlement, which barred Catholics from inheriting the throne (told ya!). This secured the future of the Hanoverian dynasty, which replaced the Stuarts in 1714.

Impact of the English Civil War and Glorious Revolution

The English Civil War and Glorious Revolution marked a turning point in European political history. Unlike absolutist France, Spain, or Russia, England developed a constitutional monarchy where the king ruled in partnership with Parliament.

  • Shift in Power: The monarchy was permanently weakened, and Parliament gained legislative supremacy.
  • Protection of Aristocratic and Gentry Rights: The nobility and landowning gentry ensured their property and political influence remained protected.
  • Religious Toleration: Protestant dominance was maintained, and future monarchs had to adhere to the Anglican Church.

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Ultimately, England’s resistance to absolutism influenced the development of liberal political thought, including John Locke’s theories on government and individual rights, which later inspired the American and French Revolutions.

🎥 Watch: AP European History - English Civil War

🎥 Watch: AP European History - English Restoration to Glorious Revolution

Key Terms to Review (27)

Absolutism: Absolutism is a political doctrine and practice in which a single ruler holds absolute power over the state and its people, often justified by divine right. This system typically centralizes authority, allowing the monarch to govern without legal or institutional checks from other branches of government or the populace.
Act of Settlement: The Act of Settlement was a key piece of legislation enacted in 1701 that determined the succession to the English throne, ensuring that only Protestant descendants of Princess Sophia, Electress of Hanover, could inherit the crown. This act was crucial in shaping the political landscape of England by establishing a Protestant line of succession, thereby limiting the influence of Catholics in English governance, especially after the tumultuous events of the English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution.
Act of Supremacy: The Act of Supremacy was a significant law passed by the English Parliament in 1534 that declared King Henry VIII as the Supreme Head of the Church of England, effectively breaking away from the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church. This act was a cornerstone in establishing a national church in England and marked a pivotal moment in the Protestant Reformation and religious politics in Europe.
Anglican Church: The Anglican Church, also known as the Church of England, is a Christian denomination that emerged in the 16th century during the English Reformation. It was established when King Henry VIII broke away from the Roman Catholic Church, primarily to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, and it reflects a blend of Protestant and Catholic beliefs.
Cavaliers: Cavaliers were supporters of King Charles I during the English Civil War, known for their loyalty to the monarchy and their opposition to Parliament. Characterized by their aristocratic background, the Cavaliers often represented the interests of the royalist cause, which was deeply intertwined with issues of power, governance, and religion during this tumultuous period in England's history.
Charles I: Charles I was the king of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1625 until his execution in 1649. His reign was marked by a struggle for power between the monarchy and Parliament, leading to the English Civil War and significant changes in governance.
Charles II: Charles II was the King of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1660 until his death in 1685, known for his restoration to the throne following the English Civil War and for promoting a more liberal and hedonistic court culture. His reign marked the end of the Interregnum period and saw significant political and social changes, including the establishment of constitutional monarchy principles and the eventual transition toward a more absolutist approach to power.
Commonwealth Republic: A Commonwealth Republic refers to a political system established in England after the English Civil War, characterized by the absence of a monarchy and the governance of the country through elected representatives. This form of government emerged in the mid-17th century, primarily under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell, who served as Lord Protector and led a Puritanical regime that sought to implement reforms in both politics and society, reshaping England's political landscape.
Constitutional Monarchy: A constitutional monarchy is a system of government in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government, often with a parliament that makes laws. This arrangement allows the monarch to have a ceremonial role while political authority is exercised by elected representatives, promoting a balance between tradition and democratic governance.
Divine Right of Kings: The Divine Right of Kings is a political doctrine asserting that a monarch's authority comes directly from God, and thus, the king is not subject to any earthly authority. This belief justified the absolute power of kings and reinforced the idea that their rule was ordained by divine will, influencing governance and state building in Europe during key historical periods.
English Bill of Rights: The English Bill of Rights, enacted in 1689, was a landmark piece of legislation that outlined the rights and liberties of English citizens while limiting the powers of the monarchy. This document emerged from the conflicts during the English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution, establishing parliamentary sovereignty and fundamental legal principles that influenced the development of constitutional monarchy in Britain.
English Civil War: The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians (Roundheads) and Royalists (Cavaliers) from 1642 to 1651, primarily over the manner of England's governance and issues of religious freedoms. This conflict significantly reshaped England’s political landscape, setting the stage for the eventual establishment of constitutional monarchy and the Glorious Revolution.
Glorious Revolution: The Glorious Revolution was a pivotal event in 1688 that led to the overthrow of King James II of England and the ascension of William III and Mary II to the throne, marking a significant shift towards constitutional monarchy. This peaceful transition of power established parliamentary sovereignty and limited the powers of the monarchy, setting the stage for modern democratic governance in England.
James II: James II was the King of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1685 until he was deposed in 1688 during the Glorious Revolution. His reign was marked by attempts to promote Catholicism and strengthen royal power, which led to widespread opposition from Parliament and Protestant factions, ultimately resulting in his overthrow and the establishment of constitutional monarchy.
James I: James I was the king of England and Ireland from 1603 until his death in 1625, known for being the first monarch to rule over both England and Scotland after the union of the crowns. His reign is significant for its impact on the English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution, as it set the stage for conflicts between monarchy and Parliament regarding governance and authority.
King Henry IV of France: King Henry IV of France, also known as Henry of Navarre, was the first monarch of the Bourbon dynasty and ruled from 1589 until his assassination in 1610. His reign marked a significant period in French history as he worked to restore peace after the French Wars of Religion and implemented policies to stabilize the country.
King James VI of Scotland: King James VI of Scotland, who reigned from 1567 to 1625, was the first monarch to rule both Scotland and England after the Union of the Crowns in 1603. His reign marked significant political and religious shifts, which laid the groundwork for later conflicts during the English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution. His belief in the divine right of kings and attempts to unify the two kingdoms played crucial roles in shaping early modern British politics.
Long Parliament: The Long Parliament was a period of the English Parliament that lasted from 1640 to 1660, during which significant political conflicts between the monarchy and Parliament unfolded, leading to the English Civil War and the eventual establishment of a constitutional monarchy. It emerged in response to King Charles I's attempts to govern without Parliament and became crucial in asserting parliamentary power and civil rights against royal authority.
Mary: Mary, also known as Mary II of England, was a queen who ruled jointly with her husband, William of Orange, after the Glorious Revolution in 1688. Her reign marked a significant shift in English politics and monarchy, as it established constitutional principles that limited royal power and expanded parliamentary authority, paving the way for modern democracy in England.
Oliver Cromwell: Oliver Cromwell was a military and political leader during the English Civil War, known for leading the Parliamentarian forces against King Charles I and later ruling as Lord Protector of England from 1653 until his death in 1658. His actions and policies played a critical role in transforming England's governance and set the stage for later constitutional developments.
Petition of Right: The Petition of Right was a significant constitutional document in England, passed in 1628, which aimed to limit the powers of the king and safeguard the rights of subjects against arbitrary rule. It was a response to King Charles I's abuses of power, addressing issues such as taxation without parliamentary consent, unlawful imprisonment, and the quartering of soldiers in private homes. This document laid the groundwork for future constitutional developments and highlighted the ongoing struggle between monarchy and parliamentary authority during a period marked by civil unrest and the eventual English Civil War.
Puritan Movement: The Puritan Movement was a religious reform movement in the late 16th and 17th centuries within the Church of England, aiming to 'purify' the church of remnants of Catholicism. This movement had significant implications for the English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution, as Puritans sought greater religious and political freedoms, challenging royal authority and the established church's practices.
Restoration: Restoration refers to the period in England from 1660 to 1688 when the monarchy was reestablished after the Interregnum that followed the English Civil War. This era marked the return of Charles II to the throne and a shift back to traditional monarchy, while also navigating the complexities of a politically divided society that had recently experienced civil strife and radical changes in governance.
Roundheads: Roundheads were supporters of the Parliament during the English Civil War, known for their opposition to King Charles I and his royalist supporters, often referred to as Cavaliers. This faction played a crucial role in the conflict between monarchy and parliamentary authority, advocating for more power for Parliament and less absolute rule from the king. Their name came from their short, cropped haircuts, contrasting with the long hairstyles of the Cavaliers.
Ship Money: Ship Money was a tax levied by the English crown in the 17th century, originally intended to fund the navy and provide for the defense of coastal towns. It became a controversial issue during the reign of Charles I when he expanded its application to inland counties, leading to widespread resentment and contributing to tensions that sparked the English Civil War. This tax represented broader conflicts between royal authority and parliamentary power.
Short Parliament: The Short Parliament was the name given to the English Parliament convened by King Charles I in April 1640, which lasted only three weeks before being dissolved. It was called in response to the financial crisis and the need for funds to suppress the Scottish rebellion but was marked by conflicts between Parliament and the king over issues of authority and governance. The short duration of this Parliament illustrated the growing tensions between monarchy and parliamentary power that ultimately contributed to the outbreak of the English Civil War.
William of Orange: William of Orange, also known as William III of England, was a key figure in the late 17th century who played a significant role in the Glorious Revolution, which resulted in the overthrow of King James II. His ascension to the English throne marked a shift toward constitutional monarchy and set the stage for a new balance of power within Europe, establishing parliamentary sovereignty over royal authority.