Political And Economic Reason Of Englis

Jack Zhou
11/05/2014
AP European History
Mr. Fisher
Political and economic problems that leads to the civil war At the turn of the 17 century, England, like many other European countries started centralizing their government. The country become stable and powerful under Elizabeth’s polique rule. However, after her death, leaders such as James I and Charles I undo her improvements, as they create political and economic problem that eventually lead to the civil war. During and at the death of Elizabeth, England was unarguable at a Golden Age. It’s an English renaissance that is symbolized by renewed national pride, increased central power, religious peace and naval triumph over the hated Catholic Spanish armada. On comparison, The Stuart period seems much darker. The first Stuart on the throne, James I, had experience of ruling as the king of Scotland. However, this did not prepare him for England, as the lack of parliament make him used to doing whatever he wants, without the opinion and voices of the nobles. He often disagree with the parliaments, thus in a way slowing fracturing England into two side. He also came up with the new extended version of the “divine right of kings”, which greatly distressed the parliament for it promotes absolutism. In reaction to that, the parliament often acted to obstruct and stop the king instead of helping him and the central government. His religion also become a serious problem, as unlike Anglican and Catholic, who have no difference in worshiping and services, Puritans have huge difference between the Anglican. Puritan does not have any showy things, such as elaborate services and churches, and hymns. This isolates the Anglican Englishman, as James should be the leader of the church, not someone of other religious. Also the facts that James is English farther discredit him from the people. His successor, Charles the first, did much worse. He had many conflict with the parliament. Notable when he raised the short parliament to ask for money to deal with the bishop war. The parliament denied his request and was dissolved 3 week later. He is forced to call them again at the end of the year, and lose many rights and privileges in order to pass the emergency tax. This no doubt made the king a laughing stock, and made more people believe that it’s possible to defeat the “divine” king. After this the parliament now have the power of the purse, power to control all new taxes in England, and many other rights. Both side become more hostile toward each other, and the idea that Charles called the Irish catholic to attack England further alienate him. The last string is when Charles tries to arrest two member of the parliament for high treason, but cannot find them. In early 1642, all cities declared their sympathies toward one faction or the other. The Civil war begins. Another big reason of the civil war it’s the crown’s economic problems. The English crown must rely on the parliament for taxes because of the power of the purse. This made dealing with them more difficult, as James must see them more often than they wanted, as they often argue about other thing during it. In his meeting, they grant Charles 1 year of tonnage and poundage, rather than the custom lifetime grant. After the year, Charles keeping taxing, without parliament’s approval. During his Personal Rule, Charles revived many old taxes, for example the collection of forced loan. These taxes not only slowed down economic growth of England, and also anger the populace and made them more likely to take side against him. The Stuart also wasted a lot of money for personal interest, as they patrons many art and projects, most famously King James Bible. Later when the Scots rebelled, Charles is forced to call the short parliaments, but dissolved it in anger as they present many requirement for the money. He is forced to call another parliament it 6 month later, and granted them the privileges. The economic reliance of the crown no doubt encouraged the parliament to no end. This parliament eventually led the rebellion against the king. Overall, all these problems, both economic and political, are caused by James and Charles. Their different ideology and ethic separated the close relationship between the crown and the parliaments that Elizabeth so carefully work on, which eventually lead to war between the two.