Historical+&+Political+Trends

__Historical and Political Trends__

__Development of the monarchy__ -limited monarchy established in the 13th century when nobles forced **King John** to sign the Magna Carta -**Magna Carta**-king must consult nobles before making important political decisions -**Charles I** beheaded during the English Civil War of the 1640s -monarchy brought back in 17th century with restricted powers -in law monarch is head of executive, diciary, armed forces, and integral part of legislature -in practice holds little power-summons and dissolves Parliament, appoints royal officials, and approves bills passed by Parliament -today, monarchy has no decision making power but holds an important ceremonial and traditional role-Head of State and Commonweath [] Video: Why the English Civil War started []

__Evolution of Parliament__ - during the **English Civil War**, Parliament (the **Roundheads**) under **Oliver Cromwell d**efeated and beheaded **King Charles I** -Cromwell established a short Protectorate-dictatorship -Parliament restored **King Charles II** to the throne -the **Glorious Revolution** of 1688 under **William and Mary** agreed to a Bill of Rights -**Bill of Rights**-list of rights retained by Parliament, limited power of the monarchy - power of prime minister established in the 18th century by **Robert Walpole** -composed of House of Lords and House of Commons -operates under the Westminster system-one house is elected and the other appointed, executive branch made up of members of the legislature, opposition parties, and a ceremonial head of state -Parliamentary Papers document all parliamentary deliberations -parliamentary power continues to grow [] Video: Parliament and Government []

__Impacts of the Industrial Revolution __ -colonial mercantilism and the industrial revolution in the 18th century established England as a major economic power -new techology increased economic output and trade -trade with colonies and manufactured goods created a new class of merchants and businessmen with unprecedented wealth -peasents moved to the cities and went to work in factories-harsh and unsanitary conditions incited city reform -new merchants and workers demanded power in policy making-achieved in 19th century []



The industrial revolution moved many peasants from rural countryside to urban cities where they worked in factories. However, factory conditions were often harsh and dangerous, as shown by this picture of child labor in a thread spinning factory.

__British power in the 20th century __ -early 20th century Britain was the greatest imperial power, biggest empire -**King Edward VII** made diplomatic peace with the rest of Europe -Prime minister **Arthur Balfour** advanced education and military strength -succeeded by **King George V** and prime minister **David Lloyd George** -Great Depression posed an economic setback, creation of unions but government able to restore stability -formed labor unions mainly under the **Trade Union Congress**, caused some disturbances but nothing permanent -onset of the two world wars forced Britain to compromise much of its empire and lead to eventual weakening []

Timeline of British events in the 20th century []  British Empire in the 20th century

__<span style="color: #0c08d4; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px;">Britain repositioning in the 21st century __ -by early 21st century power had been diminished by 2 world wars, economic problems in the 1970s, and the rising competing power of the U.S. -developed strong welfare state after WWII but curbed by conservative **Margaret Thatcher** -more diversity, ethnic backgrounds clashing -increasing euroskepticism -<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">modern Britain trying to find a balance of world power [] Video: Building Britain: London in the 21st Century []#