What is the Magna Carta?
Magna Carta is a legal document which was developed in England in 1215 after it had been many disputes between the king, bishops and barons. King John was in power when the law was enacted. Many of the issues raised in the Magna Carta's reactions to the schemes that worked poorly in the community. Eg. people were tired of the king's forests grew, while those living on the edge was their areas reduced. They were tired of the king's arbitrary demands for taxes and all the king's power, autocracy.
Why was The Bill of Rights important?
The Bill of Rights is an act of the Parliament of England. The title is An Act Declaring the Rights and Liberties of the Subject and Settling the Succession of the Crown. It is often referred to as the English Bill of Rights.
The idea is taken from John Locke. It was a re-statement from the Declaration of Right presented by the Convention Parliament to William and Mary, inviting them to become joint sovereigns of England. This meant that the king and queen got certain rights to which subjects and permanent residents of a constitutional monarchy were thought to be entitled in the late 17th century, asserting subjects' right to petition the monarch, as well as to have arms in defence.
What was the “Gunpowder Plot”?
When Queen Elizabeth 1st took the throne of England she made some laws against the Roman Catholics. Guy Fawkes was one of a small group of Catholics who felt that the government was treating Roman Catholics unfairly. They hoped that King James 1st would change the laws, but he didn't.
Catholics had to practise their religion in secret. There were even fines for people who didn't attend the Protestant church on Sunday or on holy days. James lst passed more laws against the Catholics when he became king.
A group of men led by Robert Catesby, plotted to kill King James and use gunpowder to blow up the Houses of Parliament, the place where the laws that governed England were made.
Outline the development towards universal suffrage in Britain.
Universal suffrage means that people have the same rights to vote, and these days there are universal suffrage for people over 18 in the UK, but the situation hasn't always been like this. In 1492 men with property worth atleast forty shillings were entitled to vote. Prior to this, you only had these rights if you were friends with the Queen.
The Reform Act of 1832 extended the voting rights to men who rented land of a certain value, giving 1 of 7 suffrage. The new reform act of 1867 gave all male householders rights to vote, and in 1918 all men received rights to vote, no matter if you owned a property or not. Finally, in 1928 universal suffrage for those over 21 was given, and in 1948 there was an extension of suffrage to those who are 18 or older
What are some of the traditions in Parliament?
- MPs vote in the Commons, saying “aye” or “no”. In the Lords, members vote saying “content” or “not content”.
- To participate in a debate in the House of Commons, MPS have to be called by the speaker. MPS usually rise or half-rise from their seats in a bid to get the Speaker's attention.
- Each sitting in both Houses begins with prayers that follow the Christian faith.
