#TeamEnglish@CMS_Kottayam: The learner in me, hand in hand with the teacher in you!

  Walpole and the Cabinet System | Rise of the Middle Class A.     Robert Walpole and the Cabinet System of Government B.     The Rise of the Middle Class-Emergence of Traders and Manufacturers   A.              Robert Walpole and the Cabinet System of Government Sir Robert Walpole , a Whig politician, is often regarded as the first Prime Minister of Great Britain. His tenure (1721–1742) laid the foundation for the modern Cabinet system and the principles of parliamentary government. He played a crucial role in shaping Britain's political system by strengthening the authority of the Cabinet and making the position of Prime Minister a central figure in governance. Early Life and Political Career Born in 1676 in Houghton, Norfolk, Walpole entered Parliament in 1701 as a Whig MP. He initially held government offices under Queen Anne but fell from power in 1712 due t...

The Hanoverian Succession and the Reign of the First Three Georges The Hanoverian succession in England marked a significant shift in British history, bringing the German House of Hanover to the British throne. This period began in 1714 with the accession of George I and continued through the reigns of George II and George III . 1. The Hanoverian Succession (1714) The Hanoverian succession was the result of the Act of Settlement (1701) , which was passed to ensure a Protestant succession to the English throne. The act excluded Catholics from inheriting the crown and named Sophia of Hanover (a granddaughter of James I of England) and her Protestant descendants as heirs. When Queen Anne (the last Stuart monarch) died in 1714 without an heir, Sophia had already passed away, making her son, George, Elector of Hanover , the next in line. He became King George I of Great Britain on August 1, 1714 , despite being a German prince with little knowledge of England and its politics. ...

 Queen Anne's England Queen Anne (1665–1714) ruled England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1702 until her death in 1714. Her reign was significant for major political, religious, and cultural developments, including the Act of Union (1707), the War of the Spanish Succession, and literary achievements in the Augustan Age. 1. Historical and Political Context The Act of Union (1707)  One of Queen Anne's greatest political achievements was the Act of Union, which united England and Scotland into  Great Britain .  The act was driven by economic needs, security concerns, and political strategies. It ended Scotland’s separate parliament, though it retained its legal and educational systems. The War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714) England, alongside Austria and the Dutch Republic, fought against France and Spain to prevent the unification of the Spanish and French crowns. The war was led by the Duke of Marlborough (John Churchill), who won major ...

  The Joint Monarchy of William and Mary-The Origin and Growth of Political Parties: The Whigs and the Tories The Joint Monarchy of William and Mary (1689-1702) The joint monarchy of William III and Mary II was a defining period in British history, marking the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. Their reign began with the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which saw the overthrow of King James II, largely due to his unpopular policies favoring Catholicism and absolute monarchy. The Glorious Revolution and the Ascension of William and Mary James II, a staunch Catholic, attempted to reinstate Catholic dominance in England, which alienated Protestant nobles and Parliament. His policies led to unrest, prompting a group of influential English politicians to invite William of Orange, a Protestant and husband to James II’s daughter Mary, to intervene. In November 1688 , William arrived in England with a fleet, and James II, facing little resistan...

  The Glorious Revolution-the Bill of Rights The Glorious Revolution and the Bill of Rights (1688–1689) The Glorious Revolution of 1688 was a pivotal moment in British history that resulted in the overthrow of James II and the establishment of William III and Mary II as joint monarchs. It was a largely bloodless revolution that ensured Protestant supremacy , limited the power of the monarchy, and laid the foundation for constitutional government through the Bill of Rights (1689) . 1. Causes of the Glorious Revolution Several factors contributed to the revolution, primarily rooted in religious tensions, fears of absolutism, and the desire for parliamentary sovereignty. 1.1. James II’s Pro-Catholic Policies James II (r. 1685–1688) was a devout Catholic in a staunchly Protestant nation. His policies alienated the Anglican establishment and the political elite: Ignoring the Test Act (1673): Appointed Catholics to government and military positions. Declarat...

  Religious strife- the Test Act and the Exclusion Bill— James II and the Jacobite Risings The Restoration of the monarchy in 1660 under Charles II did not bring an end to England’s long-standing religious divisions. While Charles sought to maintain a degree of religious tolerance, conflicts between Anglicans, Catholics, and Protestant dissenters intensified. Key moments in this religious strife included the passage of the Test Act (1673), the Exclusion Crisis (1679–1681), the reign of James II , and the subsequent Jacobite risings after the Glorious Revolution of 1688. 1. Religious Tensions Under Charles II After the Puritan rule under Oliver Cromwell (1649–1660), England saw a resurgence of Anglicanism as the state religion. However, deep divisions persisted: Anglicans (Church of England) sought to maintain their dominance. Catholics were distrusted and often suspected of plotting against Protestant rule. Dissenters (Nonconformists) , including Presb...