The year 1688 introduced a long period of dynastic instability and problems of succession. This instability was aggravated by the existence of a rival claimant to the throne in the person of James II's son: James Francis Edward. He was a Roman Catholic, also known as the "Old Pretender". Queen Mary died in 1694. It was resolved that the succession would go to Anne, Mary's sister - the 2nd daughter of James II. It was of parliamentary importance to maintain a protestant succession. She remained on the throne until 1714. The parliament passed the Act of Settlement in 1701 - the year of James II's death. It gave the crown to the House of Hanover. In 1714, the elector of Hanover, that is George I, succeeded Queen Anne on the throne. He reigned until 1727.
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Sommaire du cours
Political instability
Foreign policy
Religion
The American war of independence and the French revolution
Reasons that account for the end of the repression
Extraits du cours
[...] This year marked the beginning of the protracted Napoleonic wars, which lasted until 1815. The severe policy of repression enforced by the British government who feared contamination of the revolutionary ideas especially after the unprecedented success of Rights of men. In 1792, a royal proclamation condemned seditious writings and the persecution of reformers began in Scotland and in England. In May 1794, Habeas Corpus was suspended. In 1795, two acts were passed to curtail freedom of expression and prohibit public meetings. [...]
[...] Rise of radicalism: second half of the 18th century. John Wilkes, MP and founder of the North Britain, fought for the right of voters to determine their representatives. During all these years, society has evolved in favour of the middle classes. They were no longer a small group. There was also a growth in the middle ranks of the professionals (doctors, physicians, industrialists ) who were making their fortune in steal and cotton. There was a fierce demonstration of corrupt in politics. [...]
[...] The early decade of the 18th century I. Political instability The year 1688 introduced a long period of dynastic instability and problems of succession. This instability was aggravated by the existence of a rival claimant to the throne in the person of James II's son: James Francis Edward. He was a Roman Catholic, also known as the « Old Pretender ». Queen Mary died in 1694. It was resolved that the succession would go to Anne, Mary's sister - the 2nd daughter of James II. [...]
[...] It saw declared that the influence of the crown has increased and ought to be diminished under the influence of the American colonies. The Irish nationalists express their right to an independent Parliament. But these societies spread up at a time of a national crisis. When the crisis subsidized after the American war, the practical implementations of reform found few supporters and the movement for reform proved limited in extent. After the American war (1783), political life was dominated by William Pitt, as Prime Minister until 1806. [...]
[...] The idea was that the Parliament was a mere instrument in the hands of the corrupt oligarchy prevailed. In 1774, Wilkes stood in the municipal election and become Mayor of London. This was interpreted as a sign of the vitality of the English political system. The rising influence of the middle classes raised fundamental questions on the political system and led to demand for political reform. This is why the Wilkes' affair is considered as marking the birth of bourgeois radicalism, which was to lead to the electoral reforms of the 19th century. [...]
