The Road to Great Britain

Join us for a lively discussion on the transformation of England from the turmoil of the mid-17th century to the creation of the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The English Civil Wars, the execution of Charles I, and Oliver Cromwell’s Commonwealth left deep scars, but also reshaped ideas of monarchy, parliament, and religion. The Restoration of Charles II brought back the crown yet revived debates about authority, faith, and succession. These tensions culminated in the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which replaced James II with William and Mary and enshrined constitutional monarchy. Over the next two decades, England not only stabilized its politics but also waged continental wars, fostered new financial institutions, and negotiated the union with Scotland, setting the stage for Britain’s rise as a great power.

Topics for Discussion

• The English Civil Wars and the Execution of Charles I
• Cromwell’s Commonwealth and the Protectorate
• The Restoration of Charles II (1660)
• The Great Plague and the Great Fire of London
• Religious Conflict and the Exclusion Crisis
• The Reign of James II and the Road to Revolution
• The Glorious Revolution of 1688
• The Bill of Rights (1689) and the Growth of Parliament
• Whigs vs. Tories: The Rise of Party Politics
• The Bank of England (1694) and Financial Revolution
• The War of the Spanish Succession
• The Act of Union (1707) and the Birth of Great Britain