Changes

As Christianity continued to grow in the 1700s, many around the world came to the same conclusion: they wanted their own country rather than taking orders from a king.  But kings resisted these demands for independence by the people, and revolutions became necessary to overthrow kings.

As Christianity continued to grow in the 1700s, many around the world came to the same conclusion: they wanted their own country rather than taking orders from a king.  But kings resisted these demands for independence by the people, and revolutions became necessary to overthrow kings.

During the 1600s in England, there was some of the worst religious persecution in the history of the world, as Protestants harshly persecuted each other and there was also continuous conflict between Protestants and Catholics.  The conflict between Anglicans and Puritans in England was particularly severe, causing many Puritans to flee to New England.  Quakers were also persecuted in England, and William Penn founded the state of Pennsylvania in the late 1600s after being persecuted in England for his Quaker faith.  In 1688, a “bloodless” revolution known as the “Glorious Revolution” replaced a rare Catholic English King (James II) with a King and Queen who were Protestant (William III and Mary II).

During the 1600s in England, there was some of the worst religious persecution in the history of the world, as Protestants harshly persecuted each other and there was also continuous conflict between Protestants and Catholics.  The conflict between Anglicans and Puritans in England was particularly severe, causing many Puritans to flee to New England.  Quakers were also persecuted in England, and William Penn founded the state of Pennsylvania in the late 1600s after being persecuted in England for his Quaker faith.  In 1688, a “bloodless” revolution known as the “Glorious Revolution” replaced a rare Catholic English King (James II) with a King and Queen who were Anglican (William and Mary).

In the 1700s, all the revolutions were quite bloody, entailing violence and great losses of life and limb.  Nearly every region of the world saw violent revolutions.  There was the American Revolution, which began with bloodshed in 1775 (Lexington and Concord and the ride of Paul Revere), and then the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, and ultimately the conclusion with the Treaty of Paris in 1783.  There were also many other revolutions, including ones in Mexico, Haiti, South America, China and France.  We will learn about all of them here, spending most of our time on the French Revolution.

In the 1700s, all the revolutions were quite bloody, entailing violence and great losses of life and limb.  Nearly every region of the world saw violent revolutions.  There was the American Revolution, which began with bloodshed in 1775 (Lexington and Concord and the ride of Paul Revere), and then the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, and ultimately the conclusion with the Treaty of Paris in 1783.  There were also many other revolutions, including ones in Mexico, Haiti, South America, China and France.  We will learn about all of them here, spending most of our time on the French Revolution.

After Cromwell’s death, his son Richard became Lord Protector. He was so ineffectual that he became known as "Tumbledown Dick". The older son of Charles I took the throne as Charles II and instituted the Restoration (of the monarchy) in 1660. Richard Cromwell was allowed to retire to his estate in Huntingdonshire (perhaps a sign that the monarchy had nothing to fear from him). Charles ruled until his death in 1685, during which he established the rights of prisoners not to be held unless there was a good reason.  This was the Habeas Corpus Act, passed in 1679, which became a basic right under the U.S. Constitution, Article One, Section Nine (“The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.”).  Also during the reign of Charles II the first political parties developed, known as the Whigs, a party which favoured free trade, limits on the power of the monarch and tolerance of non-conformist protestants, and Tories, an aristocratic party which supported the King and the Church of England.  Those same political parties have given rise to current parties in England, although ironically, the philosophy of the Whigs is closest to that of the modern Tories or Conservatives.

After Cromwell’s death, his son Richard became Lord Protector. He was so ineffectual that he became known as "Tumbledown Dick". The older son of Charles I took the throne as Charles II and instituted the Restoration (of the monarchy) in 1660. Richard Cromwell was allowed to retire to his estate in Huntingdonshire (perhaps a sign that the monarchy had nothing to fear from him). Charles ruled until his death in 1685, during which he established the rights of prisoners not to be held unless there was a good reason.  This was the Habeas Corpus Act, passed in 1679, which became a basic right under the U.S. Constitution, Article One, Section Nine (“The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.”).  Also during the reign of Charles II the first political parties developed, known as the Whigs, a party which favoured free trade, limits on the power of the monarch and tolerance of non-conformist protestants, and Tories, an aristocratic party which supported the King and the Church of England.  Those same political parties have given rise to current parties in England, although ironically, the philosophy of the Whigs is closest to that of the modern Tories or Conservatives.

James II, a Catholic, was the second son of Charles I and succeeded Charles II to the throne.  The Catholic-Anglican conflict had been ongoing for over a hundred years, and many Protestants were unhappy about having a Catholic rule the country.  Even now in England there are laws prohibiting a Catholic from becoming the monarch or being the spouse of a monarch. In 1688, the Protestants in Parliament asked Mary, the Protestant daughter of James II, to rule England (and Scotland) along with her Protestant husband William of Orange.  James II was forced to flee to France, where he died in exile in 1701.

James II, a Catholic, was the second son of Charles I and succeeded Charles II to the throne.  The Catholic-Anglican conflict had been ongoing for over a hundred years, and many Protestants were unhappy about having a Catholic rule the country.  Even now in England there are laws prohibiting a Catholic from serving in the top positions of monarch, spouse of a monarch, or Prime Minister.<ref>Under the Roman Catholic Relief Act of 1829, sect. 17, a Roman Catholic may not advise the sovereign on ecclesiastical matters, which is one of the duties of the British Prime Minister.  Thus Prime Minister Tony Blair waited until he left office before converting to Catholicism.</ref>  In 1688, the Protestants in Parliament asked Mary, the Protestant daughter of James II, to rule England (and Scotland) along with her Protestant husband William of Orange.  James II was forced to flee to France, where he died in exile in 1701.

This transfer in power during 1688-1689 became known as the “Glorious Revolution,” or the bloodless revolt.  But while the ouster of James II itself was bloodless, it was incited in part by the execution of 300 persons (and sale into slavery of another 800) who participated in the 1685 revolt against James II known as (Duke) Monmouth’s Rebellion.   

This transfer in power during 1688-1689 became known as the “Glorious Revolution,” or the bloodless revolt.  But while the ouster of James II itself was bloodless, it was incited in part by the execution of 300 persons (and sale into slavery of another 800) who participated in the 1685 revolt against James II known as (Duke) Monmouth’s Rebellion.   

Today the term “Great Britain” means England, Scotland and Wales, which share the same large island (see right).  It is “Great" to distinguish it from France's Brittania Minor (more simply, “Brittany”).  

Today the term “Great Britain” means England, Scotland and Wales, which share the same large island (see right).  It is “Great" to distinguish it from France's Brittania Minor (more simply, “Brittany”).  

The term “United Kingdom” refers to the union) of the three nation which make up Great Britain together with Northern Ireland, which is part of the island of Ireland.  There is conflict to this day, which occasionally becomes violent, as to whether Northern Ireland should become part of a united Ireland, together with the largely catholic [[Republic of Ireland]], which is favoured by most catholics in the North, or remain united with Great Britain, which is favoured by most protestants.  The United Kingdom, in which protestant churches were in the ascendancy, was formed in 1800 in response to the movement towards independence by both protestants and catholics in Ireland in the late 18th century. The Protestant versus Catholic feud is almost entirely anachronistic.

The term “United Kingdom” refers to the combination (union) of “Great Britain” and “Northern Ireland,” which is part of the island of Ireland.  There is violent conflict to this day between Protestants and Catholics as to whether Northern Ireland should be part of the separate nation of the (Catholic) Ireland (they share the same island) or Great Britain.  The (Protestant) United Kingdom formed in response to the movement towards independence by (Catholic) Ireland.

Within Great Britain, the people of Scotland and Wales take offense at being called "English".  The Scottish, for example, pride themselves at being different from the English. On most occasions, the Protestant majority of Northern Ireland, most of whom prefer to remain united with Great Britain, wishes to be called British, whereas the Catholic minority of Northern Ireland, most of whom wish to become part of a united Ireland, prefers to be called Irish. When playing England in sports matches, however, and particularly in [[Rugby Union]] in which there is a single Irish team, both protestants and catholics cheerful describe themselves as Irish to distinguish themselves from their ancient enemy.

Within Great Britain, the people of Scotland and Wales take offense at being called "English".  The Scottish, for example, pride themselves at being different (and superior?) to the English.

 

The Protestant majority of Northern Ireland, which prefers to remain allied with Great Britain, wishes to be called “British”; the Catholic minority of Northern Ireland, which wants to be allied with Ireland, prefers to be called “Irish”.

 

The Protestant versus Catholic feud is increasingly anachronistic; today the most popular name for newborn baby boys in England (and France) is “Muhammad”.

==Age of Revolution==

==Age of Revolution==

===France===

===France===

The French Revolution is the most famous in all of world history.  It started out with the hope and promise of the American Revolution, but ended up with thousands of people being executed by the guillotine.  There was a “Reign of Terror” which was exactly what it name implies:  terrifying chaos when anyone could be killed at any time, for any reason or no reason at all.

The French Revolution is the most famous in all of world history.  It started out with the hope and promise of the American Revolution, but ended up with nearly everyone being executed by the guillotine.  There was a “Reign of Terror” which was exactly what it name implies:  terrifying chaos when anyone and everyone could be killed at any time, for any reason or no reason at all.

In its Old Regime prior to the revolution, France had three tiers or levels in its social system:  the First, Second and Third Estates.  The First Estate was only 1% of the population but it controlled 10% of the land.  This was the clergy and they paid no taxes.  To be fair, however, much of this land was church land made available to the public, and clergy do not pay any taxes today in the United States either.  The Second Estate was only about 2% of the population but they controlled 20% of the land.  This was the landed nobility, and they paid very little in taxes.  The Third Estate was everyone else:  the peasants, the merchants and the laborers, and they were badly overtaxed by the monarch, King Louis XVI.  Recall that taxes were a major cause of the American Revolution also.

In its Old Regime prior to the revolution, France had three tiers or levels in its social system:  the First, Second and Third Estates.  The First Estate was only 1% of the population but it controlled 10% of the land.  This was the clergy and they paid no taxes.  To be fair, however, much of this land was church land made available to the public, and clergy do not pay any taxes today in the United States either.  The Second Estate was only about 2% of the population but they controlled 20% of the land.  This was the landed nobility, and they paid very little in taxes.  The Third Estate was everyone else:  the peasants, the merchants and the laborers, and they were badly overtaxed by the monarch, King Louis XVI.  Recall that taxes were a major cause of the American Revolution also.

At last the government of France was in the hands of a legislature, and an executive branch of five men called the Directory.  The Directory picked a young, highly successful military genius named Napoleon to lead the French army.  The very next day Napoleon seized all power in France as its dictator, in November 1799.

At last the government of France was in the hands of a legislature, and an executive branch of five men called the Directory.  The Directory picked a young, highly successful military genius named Napoleon to lead the French army.  The very next day Napoleon seized all power in France as its dictator, in November 1799.

The influence of the French Revolution was immense throughout the western hemisphere, as other peoples felt that they, too, could rise up against their rulers and defeat them.  Historians credit the French Revolution with spreading the ideas of the Enlightenment, limiting the power of nobility and clergy, and ending an absolute monarchy.  But many who supported the French Revolution in its beginning (including Thomas Jefferson) were horrified by where it led, including numerous executions and terror.  Some would say that France never fully recovered, as the French Revolution unleashed a hostility towards Christianity that continues to this day in France.

The influence of the French Revolution was immense throughout the western hemisphere, as other peoples felt that they, too, could rise up against their rulers and defeat them.  Historians credit the French Revolution with spreading the ideas of the Enlightenment, limiting the power of nobility and clergy, and ending an absolute monarchy.  But many who supported the French Revolution in its beginning (including Thomas Jefferson) were horrified by where it led, including numerous executions and terror.  Some would say that France never fully recovered, as the French Revolution unleashed a hostility towards Christianity that continues to this day in France.  Islam has recently risen in power there.

===Napoleon’s Empire===

===Napoleon’s Empire===