the restoration 1625-1798 charles ii (r. 1625-1649)
TRANSCRIPT
The Restoration 1625-1798
Charles II (r. 1625-1649)
The English Civil War
• Charles I’s clashes with Parliament led
to revolt and his execution in 1649.
• The Puritan Oliver Cromwell and Parliament ruled until Cromwell’s death in 1658, but his policies had alienated much of the country.
The Restoration of the Monarchy
• Tired of the wars and contention of the past 20 years, Parliament invited Charles II back from exile In France
• Charles brought back with him a love of fashion, theater, and the arts.
More Trouble
• James II succeeded Charles II in 1685.
• A devout Catholic, James clashed with Parliament over religion.
The Glorious Revolution
• In 1688 Parliament invited Mary, the protestant
daughter of the king, and her husband, William of Orange to rule jointly.
• Charles II fled to France, no blood was shed, and there was much rejoicing.
Limiting Royal Power
• In 1689 Parliament passed a bill of rights, limiting the power of the monarchy
• In succeeding years, a cabinet of ministers led by the prime minister would gradually begin to rule England.
Social Trends
• As agricultural practices improved, towns and cities grew because less workers were needed on farms.
• Industrialization and inventions after 1750 led to growth of large factories in cities and increased wealth.
The Enlightenment--The Age of Reason
• “How” questions replaced “Why” questions about nature, the human body, and the universe.
• Most philosophers and scientists remained very religious.
• View of God changed, with Deism becoming widely accepted among intellectuals.
• Superstitions concerning natural phenomena were dispelled.
The Enlightenment--The Age of Reason
• Edmund Halley predicted the path of comets and when they would occur.
• By the end of this era progress, for many, was equated with misery.
The Enlightenment--The Age of Reason
• Some began to lose faith in man’s ability to solve every problem with reason.
• The style was witty, sophisticated, and self-conscious.
Writing of the Restoration
• There was a fondness for satire.
• Aphorisms—short statements that express a viewpoint or truth—were popular.
Samuel Johnson
• Influenced by Greek and Roman writers.
Writing of the Restoration
• Often referred to myths, gods, and heroes of ancient times.
• Writing is often called neoclassical.
Alexander Pope