Question

Why did France develop an absolute monarchy and England a constitutional monarchy?

Answer 1

The move from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy occurred over several centuries. It started in 1066, following the Norman conquest of Britain, when William I set up the first Parliament. Then in 1215, King John was forced by the nobles to sign Magna Carta which protected certain rights of all subjects, most notably the writ of habeas corpus which allowed appeal against unlawful imprisonment.

In 1649, King Charles I was executed on order of parliament for raising taxes, dissolving parliament for years and starting a civil war. The monarchy was replaced by a republic headed by Oliver Cromwell who proved to be a worse dictator than any King. After Cromwell's death, Charles II (son of the executed monarch) was asked by parliament to become King.

In 1685, Charles II died without an heir and his brother, James II, became King. James proved to be as tyrannical as his father, and in 1689 parliament removed him from power and asked Mary II (James’ daughter) and her husband William of Orange to become King and Queen. It was at this point that Britain became a constitutional monarchy, as parliament insisted that almost all executive power, including powers over taxation, be given to parliament, leaving the monarch as a figurehead.

The final step in Britain’s move to becoming a full constitutional monarchy took place in 1721, under George I, when a single parliamentarian (Robert Walpole) became head of government in the office of First Lord of the Treasury, which later became known as “Prime Minister”.

It is a common misconception amongst Americans that George III (king during the American Revolution) was an absolute monarch – this is not the case. George III had about the same amount of power as the current monarch, although he did state his opinion more often.

With the greatest of respect to Alan Turing, Queen Victoria never had any executive power and the British Empire thrived during her reign, it was only years after she died that the empire became a 'terrible burden'.

Several other European countries (Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and others) followed the UK's system and still exist as a result. All of the absolute monarchies in Europe were overthrown.