Transformation of British Political System
In 1215 the Magna Carta was signed. The Magna Carta is a document that the King at the time, King John of England was forced into signing. This document lessened the king's power and made way for Parliament to be put in place. The document became the first Bill of Rights for the country. We were able to see the Magna Carta while we were in the Salisbury Cathedral. The document was written in all Latin and which Magna Carta means Great Charter. It was crazy to see how much text they were able to fit on that one document. You weren't allowed to take any pictures of it but it was in it's own room.
For the longest time, everything was in the hands of the monarch. They made all of the decisions. When the kings needed support they would call for the most powerful socially and economically. However, during the thirteenth century representatives were chosen by their town or community to go to meetings which had to do with where they live. The group of representatives acquired the term Parliament. The concept began to grow but did face many problems to get where it is today.
Throughout the years of Britain and Ireland, there have been monarchs who strongly believe in divine right, one of them being Charles I. Charles I had always had an issue with Parliament, he wasn't fond of having to rule alongside them. He dispensed Parliament which the Protestants didn't like his way of ruling. The Anglican Catholics were in support of Charles I. Charles I brought Parliament back in order to get a tax raise that would increase revenue approved. Parliament being irritated at having not been in the picture for eleven years called for reforms then Charles terminated Parliament once again but brought it right back. Due to years of hostility, disagreements and lack of respect, in 1642 Parliament and the King were at war. In 1649, Charles I ended up being condemned after the war in Westminster hall.
James II became king after his brother Charles II. James appointed many Catholics to be high office and also had a son who was Catholic and would eventually become a monarch himself, there were plenty that didn't sit well with. Protestants who did not agree with the king extended an invitation to England to a Dutch prince by the name of William of Orange and his wife Mary who was James's daughter. William brought an army with him however, the forces of James's joined with William's. After James fled to France and abdication, Parliament offered Mary and William of Orange to be co-rulers but had to agree to the Bill of Rights. The Bill of rights still had King and Queen held in the highest respect however, Parliamentary representatives for the citizens would be held higher.
The Great Reform Act of 1832 changed a lot as far as the electoral system went. There were many years of people complaining about the system being unfair. This act had those who opposed it but it ended up being passed by both parties. It got rid of the bad boroughs and allowed more people to vote. Women still weren't allowed to vote and there was still a property requirement to vote as well. There were a second and third reform act that was passed in 1867 as well as 1884. The system has been changing ever since.
Modern Reforms to the House of Lords include the Life of Peerages act of 1958. The life peer act allowed women to become part of the house. There was another peerage act in 1963, this act allowed hereditary peers to disclaim inherited titles. The act also allowed female hereditary peers to have a seat in Parliament and got rid of the restrictions on Scottish Peers allowed to sit in the House of Lords. House of Lords Act 1999 made all but 92 hereditary peers lose their seats in the House of Lords. The act got rid of the right to hereditary peers to sit in the House of Lords.
For the longest time, everything was in the hands of the monarch. They made all of the decisions. When the kings needed support they would call for the most powerful socially and economically. However, during the thirteenth century representatives were chosen by their town or community to go to meetings which had to do with where they live. The group of representatives acquired the term Parliament. The concept began to grow but did face many problems to get where it is today.
Throughout the years of Britain and Ireland, there have been monarchs who strongly believe in divine right, one of them being Charles I. Charles I had always had an issue with Parliament, he wasn't fond of having to rule alongside them. He dispensed Parliament which the Protestants didn't like his way of ruling. The Anglican Catholics were in support of Charles I. Charles I brought Parliament back in order to get a tax raise that would increase revenue approved. Parliament being irritated at having not been in the picture for eleven years called for reforms then Charles terminated Parliament once again but brought it right back. Due to years of hostility, disagreements and lack of respect, in 1642 Parliament and the King were at war. In 1649, Charles I ended up being condemned after the war in Westminster hall.
James II became king after his brother Charles II. James appointed many Catholics to be high office and also had a son who was Catholic and would eventually become a monarch himself, there were plenty that didn't sit well with. Protestants who did not agree with the king extended an invitation to England to a Dutch prince by the name of William of Orange and his wife Mary who was James's daughter. William brought an army with him however, the forces of James's joined with William's. After James fled to France and abdication, Parliament offered Mary and William of Orange to be co-rulers but had to agree to the Bill of Rights. The Bill of rights still had King and Queen held in the highest respect however, Parliamentary representatives for the citizens would be held higher.
The Great Reform Act of 1832 changed a lot as far as the electoral system went. There were many years of people complaining about the system being unfair. This act had those who opposed it but it ended up being passed by both parties. It got rid of the bad boroughs and allowed more people to vote. Women still weren't allowed to vote and there was still a property requirement to vote as well. There were a second and third reform act that was passed in 1867 as well as 1884. The system has been changing ever since.
Modern Reforms to the House of Lords include the Life of Peerages act of 1958. The life peer act allowed women to become part of the house. There was another peerage act in 1963, this act allowed hereditary peers to disclaim inherited titles. The act also allowed female hereditary peers to have a seat in Parliament and got rid of the restrictions on Scottish Peers allowed to sit in the House of Lords. House of Lords Act 1999 made all but 92 hereditary peers lose their seats in the House of Lords. The act got rid of the right to hereditary peers to sit in the House of Lords.