Establishment Of Constitutionalism Within The English Politics example essay topic

In what is considered one of the most fascinating period of its history, Europe went through irreversibly drastic changes in the 17th century. And these modifications have eventually come to form the modern world as we know it today. It was then that Galileo and Newton founded the basis for modern science, and it was then that Hobbes and John Locke started modern political theory. Equally important amidst all these advances and seemingly endless series of wars and battles was the governmental restructuring of the great European power, England. Between the political turmoil of the English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution of 1688, there came about a shift to constitutionalism in the English politics. Monarchy weakened with its blatant incompetence and this inevitably led to limitations and restrictions in the voice of the government.

Possibly the leading spark in the founding of modern democracy, the 17th century marked for the Great Britain transformation to constitutionalism. The deterioration in the power of the British government began with the reign of Charles I. Never an astute king, this monarch in large part contributed to the establishment of constitutionalism in England with series of inexcusable political blunders. His inability to collaborate with the parliament in working out the country's problems naturally led to the loss of faith in its government. Moreover, the ineffectual strategies with which Charles I dealt with England's conflicts imposed the image of unreliability upon the British political system as a whole. The war against Scotland sufficiently illustrates this point. After having been met with countless disasters, (a) the English militia mutinied, (b) tax revenue became impossible, (c) the Scots took over Northern England and (d) Charles intensified his ongoing troubles with the Long Parliament.

All of the government's difficulties and hardships were consummated in the English Civil War of the 17th century. As a direct result of Charles I's controversial incompetence in political issues, the country divided into two halves in a bloody face-off. In the English Civil War, the nation split in favor and in opposition of the monarch. Ultimately, after years of indelible losses to casualties, the parliamentarians prevailed with the successful ventures of the New Model Army. In January of 1649, the climax of the Civil War came about with the execution of Charles in a public beheading.

English monarchy was effectively abolished and it its place formed the Protestant Republic under the Commonwealth. The formation of the Commonwealth in England in effect promoted constitutionalism within Great Britain. As an immediate product of the war, the Commonwealth restricted the power of the government itself through lack of distinct authority in its public. The House of the Lords was dissolved and no clear authority existed in England.

Naturally, the response to this sluggish tendency of the government was negative. There existed very little enthusiasm in England's people for the newly-formed republic. The modern political theories which state that power rests with the public fully explains the unavoidable entrance of Constitutionalism into England's politics. Although the restoration of the government is eventually instituted with the end of interregnum, historians agree that the Civil War limited the power of the government considerably.

Controversy regarding the power of the king and the parliament remained, and England never regains its previous governmental influence. Of equal importance in introduction of constitutionalism into Great Britain was the Glorious Revolution of William and Mary. Though somewhat similar in pattern to the previous occasion of Charles I, this historical event further enlarged the attraction of constitutionalism. Once again it began with the king's troubles with the parliament. Unable to agree upon various agendas within the issues of the country, the two portions of the British government had difficulty coming on terms with one another. This time, however, a major source of conflict was in religion.

When the Catholic ruler James II assumed the throne in succession to his predecessor Charles II, the country took a turn towards a Catholic absolutism. This however, would present problems against the country's religious toleration in place for the many protestant faiths. When no immediate resolution came about and when it seemed certain that James's successor would also be of Catholic faith, people of Britain saw it fit for a new authority to take upon the rule of the nation. As it later became to be known, the Glorious Revolution was the ultimate solution to the country's predicament. The Dutch King William of Orange took over the throne along with his wife Mary in a bloodless overthrow. This event produced profound changes within the political structure of England.

As a result, the landed and the mercantile classes of England gained a firm control with respect to the politics of the country. The power of the monarchs was further reduced through demonstration of the people's ability to bring upon successful revolutions. In addition to these subtle reductions, Declaration of Rights accompanied the new rulers of England. By implementing this system, restrictions and limitations were once again placed on the power of the government through shift of power to the public's rights. As evidenced, the establishment of constitutionalism within the English politics was no mistake. Through combinations of various conflicts within its history, the Great Britain went through a remarkable metamorphosis in terms of governmental structure.

First it began with the downfall of the monarchs such as Charles I and James II in parliamentary disagreements. Then followed radical changes by which confinements were placed in judging the authority of the government. The English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution in particular promoted the ideals of the constitutionalism. Ultimately, they have provided foundation upon which the British government is structured today.