From Absolute Kings to Constitutional Rights: The English Civil War

CrashCourse

This episode of Crash Course European History explores the tumultuous 17th-century struggle in Britain between the concept of the "Divine Right of Kings" and the rising power of Parliament. It details the reigns of the Stuart monarchs—James I, Charles I, Charles II, and James II—tracing how their attempts to enforce absolute rule and religious uniformity led to the English Civil War, the execution of a king, and a temporary military dictatorship under Oliver Cromwell. The video delves into the complex intersection of religion and politics, highlighting how conflicts between Catholics, Anglicans, and Puritans fueled social unrest, civil war, and eventually the "Glorious Revolution." It examines the pivotal transition from absolutism to constitutionalism, culminating in the English Bill of Rights of 1689, which established parliamentary sovereignty and limited monarchical power. For educators, this resource serves as an essential primer on the foundations of modern Western democracy. It connects historical events to the influential political philosophies of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, demonstrating how the chaos of the 17th century birthed the concepts of natural rights—life, liberty, and property—that directly influenced the founding documents of the United States and other modern democracies.