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1215
Signing of the Magna Carta
The signing of the Magna Carta in 1215 was a document, signed in 1215, under John I, fearing civil war, that granted the liberties of free men to English citizens and made sure that the monarch had some type of check system in the form of a parliament. -
Petition of Rights
Many English citizens saw that Charles I was infringing on the civil rights guaranteed to them by the Magna Carta and they wouldn't stand for it so they put a large petition for certain rights in response to decrees of his that they did not agree with, for example, being forced to quarter soldiers and refusal of Parliament to fund his foreign policy. This caused the citizens of England to counter the unfair treatment of their ruler, who thought he could govern however he pleased. -
Long Parliament
The Long Parliament was called into session in November of 1640 to discuss the funding for the second Bishops War. This session of Parliament was exceptionally successful in lasting 9 months, a very uncommonly long duration, being intransigent to Charles I's requests for funding, meeting frequently, and forbidding its own dismissal by the king by law. This begins the strengthening of the powers of Parliament to truly control the monarchy and restrict it from becoming too powerful -
Civil War Against Paliament
This revolution between supporters of Parliament and supporters of Charles I. Charles raised an army in opposition to Parliament. Charles became known for his 11 years of Tyranny and after he raised this army, his opposers were livid and began to fight back in large quantities. By Charles exercising his kingly powers to counter the one medium which the citizens have at fair treatment under monarchy, he unleashed so much anger that lead to rebellion in hopes of a less absolute ruler. -
Execution of Charles I
Charles I was decapitated on January 30th, 1649 after losing the Civil War against Parliament. He was a very absolutist King who was hated by the citizens of England and his execution marked a change in view of the public eye of an ideal monarch, one that ruled for the people and had their best interest in mind, and did not have complete, uncontrolled power. -
Completion of the "Glorious Revolution"
The Glorious Revolution began when James II became king, and it ended, according to Kagan, with the entrance of William III and Mary II into the English monarchy. This is because they relatively benevolent rulers who recognized the Bill of Rights and Civil Liberties, and were tolerant towards Protestants. These rulers were far from tyrannical and allowed themselves to be subject to Parliament's controls, so they were more ideal rulers than any others that England had had previously. -
John Locke Publishes Two Treatises of Government
John Locke was the most important English philosopher of his day. When he wrote this document, which blatantly and vehemently disproved of absolutism, it influenced the public opinion greatly and inevitably resulted in the failure of absolutism.
