How did the English Bill of Rights change government in England?
The English Bill of Rights, which was passed in 1689, brought about several significant changes in the English government:
1. Limited the power of the monarchy: The Bill of Rights placed limits on the monarch's ability to suspend laws, levy taxes, or maintain a standing army without the consent of Parliament. It also prohibited the monarch from interfering with parliamentary elections or punishing members of Parliament for their speech or debates in Parliament.
2. Established parliamentary supremacy: The Bill of Rights affirmed the supremacy of Parliament over the monarchy, making it clear that laws could only be made or changed by Parliament, not by the monarch alone.
3. Protected individual rights: The Bill of Rights included provisions to protect the rights of individuals, such as the right to petition the monarch, the right to bear arms for self-defense, and the right to a fair trial by jury. It also prohibited cruel and unusual punishments and excessive fines.
4. Codified constitutional principles: The Bill of Rights codified key constitutional principles, such as the right to petition the monarch, the right to free speech in Parliament, and the right to free elections. It laid the foundation for the development of constitutional monarchy in England.
Overall, the English Bill of Rights shifted power away from the monarchy and towards Parliament, established key individual rights, and laid the groundwork for the development of a constitutional monarchy in England.